When Did You Have Your First Mammogram?

My OB recommended it at 35 but I didn’t have my first until 41 (this year). I have always thought they recommend them at 35 but the choice is up to you.

my ob recommened it at 35 too, I think i procrastinated an had it at 36.

she explained that it helped to be able to compare a young/ non-meanopausal breast tissue to older menopausal breast tissue.

I don't remember when she suggested having it done again, but i don't think it is next year or anything probably at 40

My doctor said yearly starting at age 40 unless you have family history, then 10 years before closest relative had cancer. My mom had colon cancer so I started colonoscopies 10 years before her onset-age, which was way earlier than the recommended age 50 for starting colonoscopies every 5 years (unless polyps are found then they shorten the time between).

I found a lump when I was 35 with no family history of breast cancer. My doctor was convinced it was a cyst, but said since I was 35 that I should have a baseline mammogram anyway and have it checked out. Turns out, not only did I have breast cancer, but I also carry the BRCA gene mutation. I was completely stunned! With the new healthcare laws, insurance companies HAVE to cover mammograms, so I say go for it! Better to have more info early than wait until there is an issue (not saying there necessarily will be, but it hit me out of the blue, so you really never know). Hope that helps.

22. I've had so many breast infections, they wanted to be sure. It hurt like the dickens. I wonder why they can't find a more universally better way.

I think many doctors suggest 35 now. Cancer happens younger and younger these days.

I had my first one at 40... no history in my family either.

HMO's want you to do this routine stuff to make money....
They keep scaring us with "early detection" warnings.
Those that have had "it" will swear by early detection, those that haven't, will think it's just a way for the doc's to make money off the insurance companies and for the insurance companies to make money off of us.

It's a quandary at best.

I had my first one at 30 because my doctor said that she had already had four patients in their 20's that had breast cancer.

32 never had one done. Last year I could have said I had no family history of breast cancer, this year I would tell you two generations has been diagnosed. My mother and grandmother.

My first one was when my doctor noticed a lumpish feeling place during a regular annual exam. I was just turned 33, and my daughter was 4 months old. Turns out it was nothing (fibrocystic breasts).

It was recommended (as standard care I believe) to get one at 35 or so. And then every year or every 2 years (can't remember) beginning at age 40. I'm 43, so I've had several now.
My paternal grandmother had breast cancer in the late 70's (when they automatically did mastectomies). But that is the only family history of it. They seemed to discount it as they didn't put me on any different schedule than I would have been on otherwise. My grandmother lived until she was 89, btw. At least 25 years after her mastectomy.
:)

I'm 38 and I plan to get my baseline soon, even though I'm at low risk, especially since I've never used oral contraception, which has been associated with increased risk of breast cancer:

"The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists combined oral contraceptives as Group 1 carcinogens. ‘Group 1’ includes carcinogens in which “the agent (mixture) is definitely carcinogenic to humans.”

"It’s true that the Pill reduces the risk of other cancers, most notably ovarian cancer. However, a woman’s lifetime risk for ovarian cancer is only 1.38%. The Pill increases a woman’s risk of triple-negative breast cancer by 4.2 after 1 year, and only decreases a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by half after 10 years of use, a reduction that can be achieved by just one natural childbirth.

It is entirely likely — though currently unproven — that the increase in breast cancer cases around the world since the 1970′s has been aided by the likewise massive increase in the use of oral contraception, and its subsequent effects on the environment."

Quoted from: http://www.1flesh.org/argument_page/pill-breast-cancer-un...
Links to research articles given in source above.

I was 40...so wish I would have had a baseline at 35. I had no family history but the first mammogram out the door...BAM...mass so close to my chest wall that required surgery. Wish I had the baseline (I'm 46)!

I had my baseline at 35 then didn't start having annual ones until I hit 40. I think the reason they do it "early" is so they can get just what they call it -- a baseline. When the 'girls' are still young and healthy.

If it's covered, do it. Why not? I don't think there are risks to having it done, are there? I'm 39 and had my first at 34 - only because of family history (my mom had breast cancer at 37) I've done it every 2 years since. Ask your OB about risks. If there are none, then do it! I hear too many scary stories of women finding out they have breast cancer in their 30's and have no family history of it. It's a scary thing. I'd rather be as proactive as possible about it.

I got my first one at 26 and i get one every 2 yrs. My mother got breast cancer at 34 though and passed at 40.
Check with your insurance also. They have suggested ages of when they will pay for them.
Mine are never covered because i am so young. 32

I am 35 also. I have been thinking about asking the GYN for one. (i am bad and am late on my appts) I think 35 is the perfect age to start :)

I am 38 and have not had one.
I do have family history of breast cancer and still no mam for me yet.

i will be 35 in november....and i have had one. i'm trying to remember when. i think it was when i was pregnant and actually started going to an obgyn for the first time (at 29 lol). yes, i'm awful....

After my son was born when I was 36. Would have been 35, but I was pregnant for a big chunk of that year. There's no history in my immediate family, but I have fibrotic cysts and it makes them easier to track if there's a mam every year. (reminds me, I haven't gone yet! Oops!)

I was asked at 35 but negotiated it to 38, what can I say I am a baby. So no, that isn't early. I had a coworker get breast cancer at 25, what does that tell you.

I'm 38 and haven't had one yet. Breast cancer doesn't fall into my family history, however, I'm hearing more and more women without family history getting it. I'm not planning on having one until my doctor tells me too, around 40ish I believe?

No it's not too early! Pls take your OB's advice and have it done. It's still important to have it done whether you have family history or not.

I am 36 and had my first mammogram done last year so the timing is about right. I probably would not have had one yet but was having pain/swelling issues. It came out that all was okay, just homonal changes.
Good luck!

I had another mammogram yesterday. What I found is that, at least my medical facility, is trying to do more to establish a good comprehensive record of each woman's history so they can better work with us to help prevent breast cancer. I sat with a young lady giving some pretty in-depth answers to questions regarding family history as well as my own history. This is going into a database that will allow them to more easily follow my history and therefore better plan to treat me. In my particular case, because I'm very low risk for breast cancer, I expect it's going to mean I'll have fewer mammograms. Looking at the larger picture, I believe this is going to mean that the doctors and researchers are going to get a bigger picture of the causes and possible preventative measures that will help all women. Apparently the young woman taking my information does some research because after a comment I made, she said that I had given her a great idea for her next project.
Anyway, all of this just to say that I think probably they are starting a bit earlier as part of an overall program to try to help all of us.

Not really too early. Remember, this is for a base line so they have something to compare future scans with. I would suggest that you follow your doctor's recommendation and have it done.

Hurrah for your OB! Most insurances now will pay for a baseline at 35 - this is normal. My mother and aunt had breast cancer and I still had to fight to get a baseline mammogram at 35. Didn't have to start having yearly mammograms until age 40. Please do it - any preventative medicine you can get is worth it. If you do it now while your breasts are healthy,you will have something to compare your future mammograms to as you age. Regular mammograms (i.e. early detection) are your best defense against breast cancer. Personally I find them uncomfortable, but not painful. It takes about 10-15 to do the exam and most of that is positioning time, not time being scanned.

I had my first at 35 also. It's like a clear view photo or maybe a "before" photo, so they have something to compare all others to afterward.