Mammograms pre 50 - would you?

[Homebird8]

I've spent some of this afternoon talking with a knowledgable and pleasant consultant at the hospital about whether to take up their offer of annual mammograms from my 40th birthday due to my mum having got breast cancer when she was 39. Any of you made the same decision and which way did you go?

Lizzzonmbie, I asked my GP whether I should start screening early due to my family history. He said he didn't know (which is refreshing) but referred me to the genetic counselling department at the hospital who I never spoke to but who sent questionnaires to fill in to give more detail. They then asked for permission from living cancer sufferers in my immediate family to view their medical records. After that I was sent a letter saying that if I chose, I could have annual mammograms from the age of 40 and giving me an appointment to talk it over with the breast screening consultant. This is what I have done and I'm still trying to decide whether to go for it or not.
My advice would be to ask your GP the same question and maybe ask to be referred like I was.

Lizzzombie, you don't have to do anything you're not ready for but I always find it's best to get all the info and then make my own decision. Don't be terrified. Find out how the history might affect you.

I don't know homebird. Am just off out so no time to search right now.

But the cost is not really an issue that the French have worried about on healthcare until recently. The health system is hugely in debt and it's only in the last few years that cost cutting has become an issue.

Thanks Homebird.
Its a bit of a weird one - my (mothers) family history is to do with a particular type of Jewish heritage that her mother was. And they carry this particular gene, and if you have this gene then there is a ? % chance that you may get this type of (more aggressive) cancer.
My cousin had the test as it was her mother that died so young, and although she died when my cousin was in her early 20's, my cousin has 2 young children who would obviously be affected by it in a much larger way. (if that makes sense). I have talked it over with her, but the way I see it is that ok, I could find out that I have the gene and have a big chance of dying young....or, I could get hit by a bus tomorrow.
I know that sounds completely naive, and I of course will have mammograms as soon as I can have them according to my local health authority. BUT...I am not sure that I want to know what I may/may not die of.
(haven't actually vocalised any of this before, and it all feels a bit weird writing it down.)

Askinaze (sp?) Jews have twice the risk of breast cancer of people not of that descent according the consultant I spoke to. I don't know if they'd do gene testing for you though. It wasn't a possiblity for me but I'm not of Jewish descent. Am I being cheeky to ask how old you are?
You sound very brave!

I'm 33. Totally not brave!!
I'd never do what my cousin is doing. That's brave imo.
I can't remember if its Askinaze. I do know that it begins with an A though. (totally not clever either!)

NO.

If I found a lump, I would have it checked by ultrasound.

There is evidence not only of unnecessary treatment from early screening, but that mammograms can trigger cancer, particularly in women with a family history.

this is one of the reports

this is about women at high risk having early screening but is only an abstract, will try to find full report from the US

this is it

Just one point- belgianbun- you canget private screenings in the uk for proabaly ot much more than £100- local private hosptials like BUPA hos[itals offer a full range of screening.
I have all my smears done privately, as my surgery only did them every 5 years and I htought that was too little- I pay for one every 3years and it cotsts around £50.

One added point here that might be useful - the sons of women who have breast cancer are more likely to develop prostate cancer. Whilst this knowledge can be seen as alarmist by some, I think that sons should know this so that they can be screened etc in the future if need be, just as daughters should be screened for BC.

I paid to have a BUPA one done privately (I'm 45). It's not that much money in the great context of what women pay for 'stuff'--some people pay that for their hair once a month or so. Actually I didn't find it as unpleasant as I was expecting.