Breast cancer testing & mammogram

Hi, I should think that because your mum died of breast cancer and two aunts (her sisters) that you would need tested annually.  My mum didn’t have breast cancer but my sister and I have had it so my other sister now has an annual mammogram.  I myself am having a mammogram once a year for five years and then once every three years.  I don’t find it painful just uncomfortable especially on the breast that was operated on.  Hope this helps you to clarify things.  

Thank you

can you clarify what age you fall into the ‘normal ‘ category the consultants saying that I need to have a mammogram every year until I’m 60 years old. 

NHS monitor every three years for those between 50 and 71.   I had a scare 12 years before I was actually diagnosed.  When my sister was diagnosed I went to the breast clinic and they said it didn’t heighten my risk of breast cancer and to just have the normal three year mammogram.  I was diagnosed after going to my gp with an inverted nipple and thickening of the skin.  

The main thing I have picked up through my cancer experience so far is that time is everything. My cancer was picked up through regular 3 year screening when it was very small. Even when we knew it was there, not even the surgeon could feel it. I cannot believe how lucky I have been. If it had been another 2 years before I went for the next scan my prognosis would have been very different. If you are offered yearly scans, I’d be inclined to have them

Hi Denise7676 , sorry you have these worries due to your family history of cancer. I’m not a medic and can’t advise re how often you should be screened but wanted to share my experience as it’s got some similarities to yours. My parents both died from hormone related cancers - my mum from breast cancer, diagnosed late 40s and died at 53. My dad from prostate cancer. My mum’s aunt died from breast cancer in her 40s. When I had a breast lump in my late 40s I was told that my family history didn’t increase my risk much so no extra screening. That lump was investigated and removed and was thankfully a benign fibroadenoma. But fast forward to me at 59, when I found ‘thickening’ which was cancer. I’ve had treatment and am doing well, so far so good (I’m now 65). I asked again at my diagnosis whether it was related to my mother’s cancer and was told not, because it was hormone positive. 
But….. I asked again at a 3 year follow up because I was concerned for my children, and my surgeon agreed to refer me to genetics though he wasn’t sure if I’d qualify for testing. I did qualify and 8 months later I learned that I do carry a mutated gene (ATM, not BRCA) which is likely why I got cancer. It hasn’t really changed my treatment or monitoring because of my age, although it increases my risk of a similar cancer in my other breast, but it means that all my first degree relatives can get tested as they have a 50/50 chance of carrying that gene. And if they do, any women would get annual mammograms from 40. 
So, sorry for the long ramble but from my case I would say that in your situation I would ask for genetic testing. The fact that one cousin was tested and was negative doesn’t mean that other cousins are definitely also negative. It just means that if there’s a genetic link, that one cousin didn’t inherit it. 
Age is also a factor in all of this - my sister who is older than me got tested because of my result, and she carries the gene too. But she’s never had cancer and has been told that she doesn’t need extra monitoring now because her age is more of a risk than this particular gene! 
Apologies again for such a long post - I blame the Anastrozole (hormone treatment) for my inability to be concise! HFxx

I’d listen to the consultant. 
Everyone has different opinions, some better informed than others, some intended to be helpful but some downright dangerous. Consultants are the experts. 
Yes, mammograms can be painful but they take such a short time and the pain can be reduced by taking paracetamol beforehand. Isn’t ten minutes of discomfort worth it?
 

Thanks 

Thanks for the information I’m only just reserching it all myself as breast cancer was not something o wanted to deal with or think about much due to what happened with my mum 

Thank you 

I can imagine it’s not nice to go through it. But try to look after your long term health. There is so much which can be done if you ever do get cancer, but the sooner they can start treatment the so much more effective it is. Good luck x