Mom has breast cancer...what does that mean for me?

Question

My mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I am wondering what that means for me and my future. Do I have to start having mammograms at an earlier age then most? Do I need special check-ups, other than my "yearly exam"? I am 28 years old.

Thanks.

Answer 1

As a matter of fact hereditary is one of the main causes for children getting cancers, including that of Breast cancer. If your mother suffers from this you should be careful. But it is not certain or necessary that all the children of Breast cancer Patients will have the disease. But however it is always better to be careful and take precautions.

While most breast cancer can't be prevented, it can be diagnosed from a mammogram at an early stage when it is most treatable. The results of awareness and routine screening have allowed earlier diagnosis, which results in a better prognosis for those discovered.-

Answer 2

Mammograms are rarely accurate in younger women, the breast tissue tends to be more dense which makes it harder to see tumours.

For this reason, 40 is a good age to start, although mid-30's is sometimes suggested.

Make sure you are checking your breasts monthly, and get them checked by Dr annually.

There has been some suggestion that genetically linked breast cancer appears 10 years earlier in each generation, so if your Mother was 50 at diagnosis, your risk increases around 40.

This held true in my family, Grandfather diagnosed around 60, Mother at 52, sister at 40.

However, keep in mind that AGE is still the biggest risk factor for breast cancer. At the moment you only have 1 first degree relative with breast cancer, which statistically does not put you in a higher risk bracket.

Don't let fear rule your life! After testing, our whole family was found to carry the defective gene increasing the risk, yet only 1 of 7 has had genetically linked cancer, although 4 of 7 have had cancer, including my own NON geneticlly linked cancer in teh breast!

Answer 3

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 7 years ago. It was found with a mammogram. She was going through menopause and taking hormone therapy. She was the first in our family to have cancer of any kind. It was early stage and she is now doing great.

Last month, I was diagnosed when I had my FIRST mammogram. I am 39 years old and asked my doctor to start the mammograms early. I am far away from menopause and never even dreamed I would be at risk, but I wanted an early base-line.

I would strongly suggest you have a base-line mammogram at the age of 35. TELL you doctor you want it, don't wait for him/her to suggest it. Then, I would have another at about the age of 37 or 38. Start having them annually when you hit 40. Once again, be sure to ask to get these tests.

In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to lower your risk; manage your weight, maintain a good excercise program and eat healthy. Having a baby before the age of 30 reduces your risk and breast feeding reduces it more. I never had children, so I had those two strikes against me.

Answer 4

Firstly I would like to send you and your mother my thoughts and best wishes for a good out come to this diagnosis.
Because of your mother having breast cancer it would be wise to have a mammogram earlier than most women. With cancer being in your family its always better to get tests done more often than usual just for the safety of your own health.
My mother lost her 18 month battle with cervical cancer and since then my sisters and I always ensure to have a pap smear every year.

Answer 5

If you have a family history of breast cancer your doctor should reccomend mamograms starting at an earlier age. He/she will tell you that when you do your self exams if you notice anything abnormal to make an appointment and have it checked out. Make sure that you know how to do these exams effectively yourself as early detection is the key.

Answer 6

First of all, I'm sorry to hear about your Mother's ordeal, my prayers for your Mom and I hope she will
overcome this.
What your mother and you should do is to get educated on the subject. Know how to do a self-exam and, know what to "look" for and do them regularly
Talk to your family doctor. If there is a family history of cancer a genetic research will be help you on your next step.
Good luck.

Answer 7

1st of all let me say best to u and your mom...god bless each of u ...i was diagnosed with breast cancer last sept. it was catched early ....we had surgery and every thing is fine now...just have your regular mammograms ...ask your doctor ...with history of breast cancer...they would more than likely have u do one every year..good luck to you and your mom i pray everything goes well....god bless..

Answer 8

It skill they love the breast to whom they're speaking. They confer with one breast at a time in view this is impossible to look at 2 breasts on an analogous time. some women people resent adult adult males staring at their breasts at an analogous time as chatting with them (the girls people). i do no longer understand this resentment. If the female has surprising breasts, why shouldn't they be appeared at appreciatively? i think of ladies people who're uncomfortable while adult adult males look at their breasts (the female's), have vanity problems. The breast-feeding situation is often talked approximately by using women people who're scuffling with vanity subject concerns. look at it this type, if adult adult males confer with a woman's breasts via fact the adult adult males have been breast fed, then does no longer women people stare upon their own breasts if their mothers had breasts fed them. Huh? Huh? My attitude is that each and all and sundry people ought to love all the flaws of all of us else's physique this is saved sparkling with cleansing soap-n-water washing. and everybody ought to love all of us else staring at their physique aspects that have been washed with cleansing soap-n-water.

Answer 9

You should do mamography at earlier age

Answer 10

Family history certainly is a concern but what I would concern myself with more is birth control methods that are hormone based. Whether you breastfeed your babies or not and for how long you nurse. What your diet is like, keep it alkaline. See a nutritionist and get on a good regime. Mom can benefit by a dietary change too. I have a great article if you are interested. Click on my name and send me your email address so I can send it to you. No spam to or fro!