Routine mammograms in 40’s

[keeponplodding7]

Does anyone do this? I’m 40 - history of breast cancer in immediate family. I was reading an interview with Liz Hurley who said she gives a mammogram to her friends as they turn 40. I know it’s a 50’s thing here but not in the US. I appreciate I’d have to go private…thanks

Never heard of it as a gift but I am part of family history clinic also and have been going for 15 years. The mammo is painless, the machine are hugely improved and I go every 3 years then ever 2 for an examination. It's on NHS if you're in UK.

In Spain it is from 45. Every 2 years.

Mammograms are not so accurate under 50 because of denser breast tissue. That is why the UK screening starts later.

I would look into ultrasound if you are very concerned and want to spend the money. Otherwise watchful waiting and referral to a breast clinic with any problems is probably better.

Because of my very close family history I get an MRI breast scan yearly on the NHS. Have had it since 35

So the whole system in Spain is wrong? The thousands of lives saved?
It is very accurate. Instant (10 minutes) call back if further investigation is needed.

Results within minutes/hours.

It should start in 40s

In my area the NHS ones start at 47, I'm 56 and just had my 4th mammogram.

As my mother was diagnosed in later years I don’t think I would qualify on the nhs but thank you

That was the Age X extension trial. It was a study. You should have been informed.

I'm on a 40+ scheme due to family history. My GP got me onto it after I had been at the breast clinic a few times for lumps.

I have yearly mammograms on NHS since turning 40 due to family history of breast cancer. I had to go to family history clinic first and they "scored" my risk. Because I have 3 relatives diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 40, I was considered higher risk.

I’m in my 40s and have one privately every 18 months.

I got referred by my GP to the breast clinic and they got me to complete a family history form and it got sent away (want to say to Guy’s hospital?) and the recommendation from it was to have mammograms from 40. So I’ve had them from then. I don't pay.

I have had one yearly since 40 due to family history (mum in her 30s, plus aunt and grandmother)

I Ireland and it’s 50 but they say if you’ve a family history you can get it, actually she said to me if a person was extremely worried for any reason they’ll get them in

@Melroses I guess I got lucky then, I seem to remember getting a letter saying something about it being a new thing but I didn't realise it was just a trial.

I had breast cancer at 67, my mother had it at 60, her mother had it at 48. We all survived due to being caught early. My surgeon told me to tell my daughter (then 39) she must ask her GP to arrange for annual mammograms so she did and she gets them on the NHS. Good luck!

A mammogram at 40 would have saved my life. I wish I had known I could have gone private to get one done, but with no family history and no signs at the time, I thought it was something I could put off for a year or two. I was diagnosed at Stage IV a little over two years later.

Thank you. This has made my doubts about having one done disappear. I hope you are feeling ok x