do i need a baseline mammogram before ttc at 39 yo?

[Anonymous]

I'm 39 and thinking about trying to conceive again. Should I get a baseline mammogram before I do? By the time I would actually have a baby I would be over 40 and likely breastfeeding. I'm a bit of a hypochondriac so I'm thinking about these things. My sister had this same situation many years ago (before the mammogram guidelines went haywire) and her doctor recommended a baseline.

[Anonymous]

no, you can get a mammogram while breast feeding, just bring your pump with you to appt and get there early so pump right before procedure. i did it when my son was 6 mos old and I had him age 42

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no, you can get a mammogram while breast feeding, just bring your pump with you to appt and get there early so pump right before procedure. i did it when my son was 6 mos old and I had him age 42

That's impressive. I had weaned 6 mo. prior to my mammogram and still shot milk across the room!

[Anonymous]

I just delivered and had large lumps in my breast seemingly appear over night while I was pregnant. They wouldn’t do a mammogram on me, only a diagnostic breast ultrasound.

Luckily, they believe it was just cysts, but they still want me to come back to be rechecked in a couple months and ordered a follow up ultrasound (assuming I would be breast feeding) as well as a mammogram once breast feeding is done.

Both my OBGYN and the people at the radiology center seemed aligned that they wouldn’t do a mammogram while pregnant or nursing, so just know you might run into that...

[Anonymous]

Why the double post? It's annoying

[Anonymous]

There isn't really such a thing as a "baseline mammogram". The question is, when do you want to get your first screening mammogram?

ACOG says, "Women at average risk of breast cancer should be offered screening mammography starting at age 40 years. If they have not initiated screening in their 40s, they should begin screening mammography by no later than age 50 years. The decision about the age to begin mammography screening should be made through a shared decision-making process. This discussion should include information about the potential benefits and harms."

The US Preventive Services Task Force says, "The decision to start regular, biennial screening mammography before the age of 50 years should be an individual one and take patient context into account, including the patient's values regarding specific benefits and harms."

The American Cancer Society says, "Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year."

This is all for women at average risk for breast cancer.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a history? Even if you don't, I would get one. I have family history and am getting my first at 37. I'd like them to catch any changes as early as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no, you can get a mammogram while breast feeding, just bring your pump with you to appt and get there early so pump right before procedure. i did it when my son was 6 mos old and I had him age 42

That's impressive. I had weaned 6 mo. prior to my mammogram and still shot milk across the room!

The tech turned me around at the door when she learned I was nursing. They can’t get a clear picture with active milk ducts. Most places won’t take you until after weaning, so I’d check ahead if planning on pumping there. The pump isn’t going to completey empty you, I’m surprised you were able to get imaged still. Where was this? Was it thermal or regular mammogram?

[Anonymous]

It's ok to wait until 42 or so

[Anonymous]

OP - I had my baseline mammogram at 36 for the same reason. My mother had been recently diagnosed with BC, but had many other risk factors. My OB told me she would only recommend it so I wouldn’t worry. Ended up finding early stage cancer. I am fine now. The consensus from all the doctors is that was not genetically passed on from my mother.

[Anonymous]

I would go ahead and get one, just to get it over with and have one less thing to worry about with an infant in the house. Of course, find out if insurance will cover before 40.

[Anonymous]

I'm 39 and I have a family history so my OB/GYN had me do the mammogram before getting pregnant. Thankfully, it was all clear. Now, I'm 5 weeks pregnant!

[Anonymous]

I would do it.

[Anonymous]

I am supposed to go for a follow up and they told me not to come in until 6mo after I finish nursing!

[Anonymous]

I had my first at 40 and wanted to start TTC again at 41. My dr insisted I get a mammogram. I was still BF at 16 months. I got a second call back bc my breast tissue looked dense, they said likely bc I was still BF. Second scan everything was fine.