Daughter checking herself

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txmomof2
txmomof2 Member Posts: 131
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

So, yes, I have a long time before I really need to worry about this, but...

My daughter is 10 right now and she's starting to develop.  I know that she will need to get her first mammogram at 25 (10 years before I was diagnosed plus my mother had breast cancer).  I'm going to try and have her push that to maybe even 20.  So, at what point does she need to start doing self exams?  Late teens?  Is that being vigilant or over protective?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    generally, I think they suggest starting self exams and clinical breast exams at age 20; they probably won't do a screening mammo before age 30 because of the density issue in younger women, but perhaps an US. I was diagnosed at age 46, so in theory my daughter should start screenings at  around 34 (10 to 12 years before my diagnosis), but I'd like her to start at age 30. (she' s almost 26 now, I'm hoping they come up with something better for younger women in the meantime!)

    Anne 

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  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited August 2012

    It was B9 but my siser had her first cyst at age 17 removed and at that time she was fully developed. So being vigilent sounds good to me. I honestly don't know the proper age for all of this but nothing wrong with checking.

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  • CLC
    CLC Member Posts: 1,531
    edited August 2012

    My gut instinct on this (I have no medical or psychiatric basis for this advice!) is that if you can present it in a way that is non-threatening...you know, putting it on a par with brushing your teeth for good hygeine and prevention...the earlier she starts, the more it will be routine and the less of an emotionally painful ritual it will be.  I haven't thought about it much because my daughter is about to turn 8 and I got bc at age 44, but I think when my daughter starts to develop I will introduce self exams as a normal routine for any girl who wants to know her body and be in control of her own destiny, to the extent that that is possible.

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  • smirks44
    smirks44 Member Posts: 77
    edited September 2012

    Have you spoken to a genetic counsellor about the possibility of testing yourself for the BRCA gene mutation? This information could be very valuable when assessing your daughter's level of risk, and the level of screening that would be appropriate for her. High risk women, which of course includes those who are brca positive, may be offered MRI screening in addition to mammograms - generally at age 25 here in Canada.

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  • txmomof2
    txmomof2 Member Posts: 131
    edited September 2012

    Smirks44 - I am actually BRCA negative.  They said if I was positive, then she would need to get the BRCA test at 18.  Since my Mom had BC and MANY cousins/2nd cousins on my dad's side, it's hard not to believe it's genetic somehow.

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  • heyjudette
    heyjudette Member Posts: 15
    edited September 2012

    I honestly think the best time for her to start doing self exams is soon. I'm sure it's not suggested, or even really needed at such an early age, but part of me thinks if you teach her how to do this early in her life, she will get used to and be more apt to keep up with the monthly self exams. I know my pediatrician started teaching me how to check my own breasts I think around the time I was thirteen, the same time my mom was diagnosed.

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited September 2012

    Warning.... the above post appears to be spam. The poster is new and all his or her posts are short, non-specific and include a link to a totally irrelevant website.

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  • Dariff
    Dariff Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2012

    Hello fellow Texan~\

     I think you are over worrying...but just to make sure; ask your gyno or family doctor.  DO NOT worry your daughter needlessly.  You will cause needless worry on her part and yours.

    I have breast cancer now and my daughter is 35.  But she is a long distant runner which LOWERS her risk for bc.  She knows how to lower her risk for BC and is doing it.  Because I have a grandaughter as well, just make sure your daughter knows how to "help" prevent BC and is healthy.

    D

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited September 2012

    I think that is great idea about just making it routine hygiene. My genetics dr said one group recommends 25yr, another recommends 30 in regards to screening. I just know I have lived with the worry of BC my whole life. As you all know the screenings become agonizing. My dd will finish nursing school next May, so hopefully she'll be fastidious with her screenings. My genetic dr offered to talk to her now at 23 but I want to put some time between my dx and the start of her screenings.

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