If you have a family history of breast cancer...

[GeorgeElliotsPen]

You may be able to access mammograms in your 40s rather than start at the National age of 50.

Perhaps I am ill informed but there is a family history of breast cancer (mum and 2 sisters) so I mentioned this by chance to the GP when I went for something else. She gave me a screening questionnaire and now I can get yearly mammograms on the NHS.

It's not then first time I've mentioned it to a medical professional but the first the GP actually did something about it.

So if this affects you, please mention it to your GP.

It's so good of you to communicate this, OP.
It's critically important to get it early.
Sending good wishes.

Yes but it is area dependent. I looked into it my sister started getting scans at 40 but I'm in a different NHS area and their cirtira here is different.

Anyway when I looked at the data I decided I wouldn't want an early scan anyway as you are more likely to have false alarms when younger and needed biopsies. There is also an increase risk due to more radiation exposure. I decided the benefits didn't outway the risks for me, but it does depend on how many close relatives and what type of cancer they have had. So worth looking at your own history.

Yes, it is currently from age 40 but you won't automatically be called for one. I asked my oncologist as I was diagnosed aged 46 (no family history) and she said under current guidelines my DD would begin mammograms at 40 if she requested it. She's in her teens so it may well change!
However, it's a good chance to remind people to be aware of any changes in your boobs.