Mammograms

What are your thoughts on Mammograms?

I will be switching to US healthcare from the NHS and have always been told that I will not be screened until my 40s/50s due to dense breast tissue. My maternal grandmother committed suicide over terminal breast cancer and my Mum died of cancer (secondary cancer which manifested itself as a brain tumour) they were not sure where the primary cancer originated from but suggested it wasn't in the breast or lungs.

Any advice or thoughts, I will have a good health insurance policy for the US, but it won't include things like mammograms. (I do have BUPA here in the UK and I will see what they say, but has anyone ever had a mammogram? I am 36 and really not sure what to do about this.

Thanks

I thought it was pretty standard to start mammograms in the US when a woman was 40. Don't know where I got that idea, though. And I'm not sure about your dense tissue -- perhaps that makes a difference. I had a mammogram before I moved to the UK, but haven't had another over here. Mine was actually when I was 39 -- my primary care doc knew I was moving and she wanted me to get one in prior to that, so she requested it. Anyone else with more info?

They'll be more than willing to give you one given your maternal history of breast cancer.  I think you'll find most doctors there pretty proactive about that.  You may also find it's covered given your history.  Check w/your insurer.  Some would rather pay for preventative care.

They also have mammogram machines designed especially for dense tissue.

Generally you won't be screened until you're 40 in the US, unless your doctor feels there is a reason to do it earlier.  Because your grandmother had breast cancer, they most likely will suggest it.  The medical community in the US is VERY proactive about breast cancer, and if your insurance doesn't cover the screening there are low-cost alternatives.  At the very least, your doctor will insist on regular breast exams when you visit as well as self-exams.

I believe that an insurance company would cover the cost if your doctor recommended one based on a family history.

I understand the digital machines can see through younger, dense breast tissue and it's something that has been playing on my mind.

I am pleased to hear there are low cost alternatives in the U.S- I think I'll try to research some in my area, I won't be too far from Yale hospital and was hoping some of their programmes might be available to me.

bh, I don't understand my medical insurance yet, I have only just purchased it (and I have bought the best I can afford) and it's a lot to get used to, but the NHS have not been interested despite my history.

Thank you, all of you.

My advice is to tell your GP your family history and they might be able to get you one before you leave.  It's free here.

I found a lump/mass and was seen within two weeks.  I was 37 at the time.

Mammograms are not fun and they are uncomfortable - but better safe than sorry.

edited: oops just read your post about the NHS....in my case there was a lump/mass so I got one early.  Good Luck at any rate.

Icicle, you're right and that's what I am going to do, but I'll see if my BUPA will pay for it first then I can go quickly.

Thanks, you're right, it's important and I hope nothing came of your own lump.

Thanks, you're right, it's important and I hope nothing came of your own lump.

Well it's still there...apparently it's glandular tissue...similar to the tissue around your nipples (sorry about the TMI)...for some reason some of my tissue went north!  I tell you - longest two weeks of my life!!!  They were very thorough and after that experience I will never say a bad word about the NHS!  The appt was in a "fast track" clinic as well...got the results before I left.

I have to keep an eye on it and I got an open appointment for 6 months.

Gosh what a relief! And I am pleased your NHS experience was a good one (a great one!) I think they have improved those services a great deal but what a scary wait that must have been. 

I was told by my doctor in the US that you have your baseline mammogram when you are 35, and if nothing is wrong, you don't go back again until you are 40.

I had one at 36, because I missed the 35 mark.  I suppose that now that I am 40,  I will be getting a letter from the NHS telling me that I need one. I just received a letter asking me to schedule a pap smear.

I was told by my doctor in the US that you have your baseline mammogram when you are 35, and if nothing is wrong, you don't go back again until you are 40.

I had one at 36, because I missed the 35 mark.  I suppose that now that I am 40,  I will be getting a letter from the NHS telling me that I need one. I just received a letter asking me to schedule a pap smear.

Actually SP, I dont think you will, I am sure they start them at 50 here unless there are issues as the guys outlined above, but I could be wrong. Something I need to find out too, but my point is, don't wait for it to happen, try to find out if you can.

A  new study regarding the advantages of digital imaging in breast cancer detection in women under 50.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050917/ap_on_he_me/newer_mammograms;_ylt=AvzQyMEz4QSsVe0gpVQBHz.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3czJjNGZoBHNlYwM3NTE-

A second cousin of mine died of breast cancer this year. She was my age.  So maybe waiting till 50 isn't such a good idea. However, her mother is a bc survivor, so I guess she would have been entitled to a mammogram here anyway because it is in her immediate family.

Two words people: SELF EXAM!

Although in some cases this is not enough. In my case I found something...and not a small something...it was the worst two weeks of my life I can tell you.  My friend that went with me is a BC survivor and it was a Godsend that she was able to go with me.  Luckily it turned out to be nothing - but they still insist I check it frequently since it's not a "normal" thing (gladular tissue is not normally found in that part of the breast) - it could change down the road.

I was told by my GP that they don't normally do them until you are 40 on the NHS, but since I have been seen, I will start getting letters sooner.