Family history of Breast Cancer - When should I be screened??

[stac4370]

My mother died of cancer and my grandmother died specifically of breast cancer. I am 35 years old. I am healthy, I take care of my body and am selective about what I put into it. However,I am kind of paranoid about getting breast cancer.

I always have a lump in my right breast usually a week before my menustration and a week after. I know that you shouldn't do a breast exam around your period due to your "knotty" tissue at that time, but is this something I should worry about?

Am I too young to get a mammogram? And if I'm not too young, how can I afford the cost of testing without health insurance? I work full-time, go to school full-time and am a single mother of three!

Help!

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear stac4370:  Familial risk for breast cancer is most important when the person with breast cancer is a first degree relative (mother, sister, daughter).  The age at which the relative with breast cancer is diagnosed is also important when considering risk.  The current recommendation for women at average risk is to get a baseline mammogram sometime between the age of 35 and 40. This should be accompanied by a clinical breast examination by a doctor.  If insurance is an issue, you might check with the school.  If you are a full-time student, there may be a policy that you can qualify for.  Otherwise, you might check with the health department to determine if there are any resources.  Another option is if you can afford to see a doctor, a clinical breast exam and discussion might address your current intermittent lump and your risk determine if immediate action is recommended or whether you can wait a short time until you can obtain some insurance coverage.

[rkmsim]

I am BRCA1+ and have had bc twice.  My mom and her sister had it as well. My daughter started mammograms at age 30.  She has not had genetic testing done yet but we have to assume she is at risk at this point. From what I have read, women with hereditary breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive relative) should begin mammograms at least at age 30.  Some doctors and organizations even recommend starting at age 25.