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Breast Cancer/Family History Question

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Expert: - 7/13/2009


Question
Hello. I am concerned about the effects of my family history and how often I should be getting mammograms.  I am a white, 24-year old female, nonsmoker.  My paternal grandmother and aunt both passed away from breast cancer before the age of 35.  Obviously, this is of great concern to me.  My family doctor recommends mammograms every year.  However, the radiologist at the center told me that I should NOT be getting them every year due to the risk of radiation and childbearing, and she told me that paternal family history doesn't raise your risk as much.  I am confused.  Any help would be appreciated.

Answer
Yes the risk increase with a family history on your father's side is smaller but there is still a risk increase. Yes mammographies will give you an additional radiation dose. Besides mammography in young women is more difficult to interpret due to denser breast tissues. So I suggest instead MRI breast scans once per year with MRI guided needle biopsies of anything unclear seen. Good luck!

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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