What is the best test for breast cancer for me? I'm 29.

I'm 29 years old and the mother of 3. My 39 year old sister-in-law was diagonised with Breast Cancer 4 weeks ago (after her 1st Mammogram), and is now recovering from a masectomy she had last week.  No other histoy of Breast Cancer in her family. I had a grandmother that died of Breast Cancer at 42 (in 1961).  My mother is 65 and as far as I know does'nt have Breast Cancer. Last month at my yearly ob/gyn visit I ask my doctor if I could get a Mammogram.  She said that at my age a Mammogram would not be accurate.  My health insurance covers baseline mammograms for females between the ages of 35-39.  I don't want to wait till 35. Can you tell me what a Baseline Mammograms is?  And what is the difference between a Baseline Mammogram and a Mammogram?  Are there any other test that can be done to check for Breast Cancer at my age?

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Marianna, A screening mammogram is referring to a mammogram done in healthy women to see if there are any abnormalities that can be detected early.  The first of these screenings is the baseline.  There is no difference between a baseline mammogram and a mammogram, the baseline is just the first that all future mammograms are compared to.  The younger a woman is the more dense a woman's breasts are which can make finding abnormalities difficult to pick up in a screening.  As we age our breasts become more fatty, which makes it easier to pick up abnormalities.  This is why screenings are started usually between the ages of 35 and 39, and after 40 routine annual screening mammograms continue.  

You should be doing a self breast exam once a month, usually picking a certain date so you are at about the same time of your menstrual cycle when you do the exam (sometimes we have changes throughout the month depending on what our hormones are doing).  What you are looking for is a lump, or a change.  You also would be having a yearly breast exam by your doctor, usually at the time of your annual pap test.    

[surgeon]

a baseline mammogram is simply a mammogram that is done to establish how your breast tissues look, so future mammograms can be compared to it. It's the same pictures as any other mammogram; it just means the first one....It's true that under age 30 or so, because the breast tissue is very dense, there are lots of shadows and it's hard to see as well as when you are older. There's no harm in getting one at your age; but it can't be considered as good a look as when you are older. The best thing is to get into the habit of regular self-exam, and have exams by your doctor as well. Get a sense of how your breasts feel, and if you think you notice something different, have it checked.

[Isissydney]

I just thought I'd share my situation. I turn 28 next week and had a diagnosis of breast cancer this past December. I found the lump myself. Just as someone in your age group and also with a family history...do your exams at home, go to your yearly exams, and always check out a lump with someone. Don't ever let anyone tell you you're too young to be checking on things. I'm not saying being neurotic is advisable either, but just keep up on things. It is true that mammograms are more difficult to read for younger women, but ultrasounds are used, as are MRI scans if there is any doubt about a lump.

Best wishes!