Mammogram Before 40 - Woodridge,IL

I really think it's routine to get it done as a baseline around 35 or 36. I had one done at 36 or 37...(I remember she wanted to do one earlier, but those were my pregnant/breastfeeding years) I also had mammograms done yearly when I was in my late 20's b/c of a suspicious lump, which turned out to be benign. I then went 5-6 years without having one, then again b/c of age. It was covered by insurance b/c it was a baseline, then I didn't have any more until I was 40; now it's annual.

I would do it just because it will give them a reference; if something does come up, they'll be able to compare it to see if it was there at all, or how much it changed. It's not pleasant, but I know of 3 other women of various ages I know personally who have been Dxed with breast cancer in the last 2 years. BTW my mom died of esophageal cancer she didn't even know she had. She was 62 when they discovered it, and she died 2 weeks later. Early detection is key!

1 mom found this helpful

I wouldn't without a reason. Also keep in mind that your insurance company may not pay for this if there is no indication for it.

I would question your doctor's reason for suggesting it- i.e. did he/she find something suspicious on exam or does he/she have an on-site mammogram they are tying to pay for?

It's very odd for a provider to go against a standard guideline like this with no reason.

Get a baseline at 35 or in your case 37 and then an annual or biannual at 40 to 70.

i am 37 as of yesterday & had my 1st mammogram at 35....my ins pays for it annually starting at 35....my grandmother died of breast cancer at 55...but iregardless of that i would have still had the test done so long as my ins pays for it because anything can happen even if there isnt a family history......it didnt hurt at all, maybe a little uncomfortable but no big deal & i didnt have any stickers over my nipples as another poster indicated.......its your body so your choice do what you feel is best for you & your family....but keep in mind that with all the health ins possibly changing in the near future mammograms may not be done as frequently because this is an elective test, so you may want to get it done now & clear yourself of any findings.....good luck

Get it if your insurance pays for it. I would also ask the facility if they have digital imaging.

If you have the digital imaging, the technician knows right then and there if they have a good enough picture. If not, then you might get a letter saying that the results are inconclusive and you need to go back. Then you get all stressed out and start imagining the worst. That's my experience.

I had my first mammogram at 37. Doctor said that this was used as a baseline. I do have some family history of breast cancer but its all on my father's side which makes it less significant. Now I get them annually beginning at age 40. Whatever testing I can do to prevent such a prevalent cancer, I'm all for it. Bring it on!

Watch out for the stickers they place on your nipples. Those are the worst!

I am 25 and had one done last year. I had also had cerv.cancer. My doctor wanted me to get one 'just in case' because some of my tissue would form knots at different times. Nothing was found and i am 'normal' again.lol although i do have to have one every year now, which kind of sucks cause they are a pretty penny but when i go for my yearly, i make my mam.appt. and do it in the same day. Good luck!! It is always better to be safe than sorry

D.

I think it's a typical standard to have a baseline mammogram between ages 35 and 40, and one every 1-2 years after that. I went at age 37. It was not at all what I was expecting. Very easy, minimal discomfort.

Go for it if your insurance will allow you. It provides a good baseline. My doctor wanted me to have one early because I have fibrocystic breasts that are super-lumpy. But insurance wouldn't pay for it until I turned 40. Nice, aren't they?

I had one at 30 bc of health issues..... Since there are no health concerns, I would just ask your doctor why she thinks it is necessary at this time to get one done. I know it is better safe than sorry and while they are not a ton of fun, they are not overly tramatic either. If your doctor has good reason, I would go ahead and get it done, it wont hurt you :)

Hi A.,

I had mine a few weeks ago and I am 38. I have had three relatives in the past year die of cancer, so I wanted to have some peace of mind and asked my doc for one. She agreed, insurance paid, and I am "normal" according to my mammogram. If you feel you need one and insurance will pay for it, then go for it. I heard all the horror stories, but mine was relatively uneventful...and now I know my baseline, so I won't have another one until I turn 40. It's better to know now rather than later.

Hi A. - I recently went in for a physical and my doctor encouraged me to get one. I was 37 (in January). I have no indications of any issues but, she said to do it now to get a baseline of "normal". I went ahead and did it since it was covered. Glad I did, they found 3 suspicious spots. I went in for a diagnostic and a ultra sound (which btw they said is common for the first mammogram). I have to go back in November to check again for changes. Glad I went. HTH A.