# Mammograms -- When Should They Start?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-when-should-they-start/423064>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 17, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-when-should-they-start/423064 "2007-10-17T18:46:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-when-should-they-start/423064/1 "2007-10-17T18:46:55Z")

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I am a 24 year old woman. My maternal grandmother was diagnosed in her 30s with breast cancer–she sought the top medical care and she has been in remission for decades.

I heard that one shouldn’t really worry about breast cancer until they are at least 30. Is this also the case if you have a family history of breast cancer? Should I be getting mammograms yet? I do the self-exams every month, but I’ve never had a mammogram. They don’t sound very fun.  
And in a related to women’s health vein, I have another question. My mother had a hysterectomy in her late 30s and they found a lot of tumors and ended up having to remove one of her ovaries. Is there a significant chance, statistically, that I could have ovarian cancer (assuming the tumors were cancerous, I don’t think they confirmed either way)?

Should I get that cervical cancer vaccine? If you have a family history of ovarian cancer, does that increase your odds of getting cervical cancer or some other kind of cancer?

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-when-should-they-start/423064/2 "2007-10-17T18:55:11Z")

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[Here’s](http://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/RMH/cancer/learnaboutcancer/breastcancer/) some info.

> [@Patient Information](#):
>
> At present screening of women under 50 hasn’t been shown to be of any benefit in reducing deaths from breast cancer. However, further research is being carried out in women who have a family history of the disease. Women are invited for a mammogram until the age of 70 only, but further screening is available from the age of 70 on request.  
> If you are concerned about a change in your breasts between screening appointments, speak to your family doctor.
> 
> If you have a family history of breast cancer, you may be offered screening, or other tests, at an earlier age.
> 
> It is important that you go to see your doctor as soon as you notice a lump or a change in the appearance of your breasts.

[Is it true…?](http://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/RMH/cancer/breastcancerawareness/commonquestions.htm)