Breast cancer screening family history

[Sparkley456]

Hi, I just wanted to hear thoughts on this… my sister has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She’s eligible for breast screening at a younger age than in uk, as lives in another country. She has no symptoms, lump etc it was the mammogram that saw something not right. I’ve asked my doc if I can be screened (am early 40s), and came back that I can’t. I feel frustrated by this, as feel the earlier you find things the better, and surely I should have some screening pre 50. I know I won’t necessarily get/have it, but shouldn’t I be checked at least? Anyone had a similar experience?

Hi OP. My experience is that I have a very high family history of BC, my mother and all female relatives on her side except her younger sister, all post menopausal BC. I had genetic counselling about it (detailed family history etc) and will be offered early mammograms and preventative medicine when I am 40 and finished having children. I spoke to my GP when my mum was diagnosed and this prompted a referral to genetics team so maybe ask for your family history to be updated if you haven't already, it may prompt a referral. I hope your sister is ok

How old is your sister and do you have any other family members with breast or ovarian cancer?

Thanks for your replies. The doc tried to refer me, but told there was no increased risk so couldn’t have checks until normal age of 50. My sister is 44, so personally feel I have an increased risk?? No other confirmed family members.

I had a BUPA breast exam recently and mentioned additional screening because my mum had breast cancer at age 60. My mother's aunt also died of breast cancer in her 60's.

I'm sorry I can't remember the specifics but I was told I wasn't eligible for any additional screening - it was dependant on the number of immediate female relatives with breast or cervical cancer history and their age at onset. I believe if my mum had been younger at onset it would have counted but as she was in her 60's it didn't.

It must be very stressful that your sister is so ill.

The thing is, though, that there are lots of different kinds of breast cancer and only some of them are genetic. My mum died of breast cancer and I was always very worried about my own risk but her oncologist told me that I was at no more risk than the general population.

So I think you need to do a bit of research into the kind she has and whether that would put you at greater risk.

Hi Sparkley456 I've just looked at the referral criteria we use, and with 1 first degree relative over the age of 40 - you would be classed as low risk, hence why you aeenit eligible for early screening.

I can understand why you are worried though, and in your position I might consider self referring to a private breast screening service.
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Thank you everyone for your responses, it’s very helpful! I will do some further research, and look at private screening, so thank you for your suggestions.

I have stage 3 breast cancer atm and late 40s, never eligible for screening, it starts here between 50 and 53. I would definitely go private for screening if you can afford it though I think only 15% is genetic. If I had been in a country with screening from 45 mine would have likely been picked up earlier though mine is lobular and forms a lump at the end and can be missed in early stages in screening as well if biopsies not taken.

My daughter asked me about this and I looked up criteria and she would not be eligible either but I said to her chances are very low but pay for private screening.

Sorry to hear that Silkieschickens I hope your treatment is going well. Yes I will certainly look at private, as my sister was only caught early as they have screening from 40. Who knows how far it would have spread, with it being aggressive, if she’d waited til she felt a lump/eligible for 50+ screening.