Hereditary?

My maternal grandmother is a breast cancer survivor having opted for a mascectomy (a lumpectomy and radiotherapy was recommended but she decided to just go for the jugular and get it out of the way) about 3/4 years ago. She has been clear ever since.

My mother (53 yrs old) has today been diagnosed with low to medium level malignancy in a lump in her breast.

Should I (31 years old) be asking for a mammogram as a precaution? I feel like I want to, but will I be taken seriously by my doctor?

[iam1butterfly]

I think that you and your doctor have to take family medical history seriously.
You have a legitimate concern; so, don't hesitate in discussing this with your doctor.

[zouzi]

Hi there,
I have searched this information for you.Please discuss with your doctor about this important test considering your family history.

If you have immediate relatives that have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, you may carry a genetic mutation that increases your risk of those diseases. A little less than 10% of all breast cancers diagnosed in the United States are related to genetic mutations. Some genetic mutations are not inherited, but are somatic, meaning that the genes change during your lifetime and don't get repaired. People who are in these categories do have some choices about preventing and treating breast cancer, but they need to know for sure if they have those genetic mutations.
People with a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer may carry the mutated BRCA gene. Men and women who are concerned about their risk of breast cancer may want to visit a genetic counselor to discuss their family health history, as well as other factors, to determine if a genetic test would be helpful.

I wish you a healthy life..but it's always good to be informed on this matter.
Best wishes...

[Marylou_II]

Hello:

You are young and you need peace of mind to have a good life ahead of you. All of us have this issue hanging over our heads and never know when it will attack. In your case you have the family history, as a cancer patient I ask you to do as Zouzi says in her post, it is the wisest advice you could ever obtain.

No one in my two large families ever had cancer or died from it, never the less I got it and not only one primary cancer but two. So you see no one is safe, please do as Zouzi says and don't allow this two headed monster to attack you.

Once you know if you have the mutated gene or not then you can decide on how to take care of yourself though it is wise to be checked on a yearly basis with a mammogram and images but not with any doctor but with a Breast Specialist don't trust anyone else.

Good luck.

Marylou_II