Many of you reality show junkies or celebrity entertainment gurus most likely know who Giuliana Rancic is, you’ve also most likely heard that at the age of 36 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In a recent interview on the Today’s show R
ancic shares her story about how she learned of her diagnosis, fortunately in the very early stages, while undergoing preparation for IVF.
I believe this story strikes a chord with many young women who have always been advised that age 40 was when we were supposed to start undergoing regular Mammograms. (Unless you have a higher than average risk: see below) If early detection is key, then is 40 early enough?
According to the National Cancer Institute, “studies conducted to date have not shown a benefit from regular screening mammography in women under age 40 or from baseline screening mammograms (mammograms used for comparison) taken before age 40.”
Like Giuliana, I am 36 years old with no family history (no diagnosis of my mother, sister, and/or daughters,) should I be bugging my Dr. for a Mammogram or gene testing? The Study, as stated by the National Cancer Institute leans towards no, but like in this case with Rancic, early detection caught her cancer in the very early stages. It makes it hard to not want to pursue any and all options available… just to be sure. I’m a “just to be sure” kind of gal and while I don’t look forward to that first Mammogram, it is something that is on my radar more now as I approach the big 4 – 0. Whether it’s more care with self exams or an early screening, it is a conversation I’ll be having with my OB on my next visit. Maybe you should too!
Are you at a high risk for breast cancer?
Personal history of breast cancer―Women who have had breast cancer are more likely to develop a second breast cancer.
Family history―A woman’s chance of developing breast cancer increases if her mother, sister, and/or daughter have been diagnosed with the disease, especially if they were diagnosed before age 50. Having a close male blood relative with breast cancer also increases a woman’s risk of developing the disease.
Genetic alterations (changes)―Inherited changes in certain genes (for example, BRCA1, BRCA2, and others) increase the risk of breast cancer. These changes are estimated to account for no more than 10 percent of all breast cancers. However, women who carry certain changes in these genes have a much higher risk of breast cancer than women who do not carry these changes.
Breast density―Women who have a high percentage of dense breast tissue have a higher risk of breast cancer than women of similar age who have little or no dense tissue in their breasts. Some of this increase may reflect the “masking” effect of fibroglandular tissue on the ability to detect tumors on mammograms
Long-term use of menopausal hormone therapy―Women who use combined estrogen and progestin menopausal hormone therapy for more than 5 years have an increased chance of developing breast cancer.
For more information on Mammograms, visit the National Cancer Institute website
