Do I have to get yearly mammograms? I am 45 years old and no one in my family has had breast cancer.

Getting a yearly mammogram after the age of 40 is the recommendation of the American Cancer Society. Unfortunately, having no family history of breast cancer does not place you at a lower risk of developing breast cancer in North America, as more than 80% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients do not have another family member who has had breast cancer.

Breast cancer is still the most common major cancer in our country and a screening mammogram is still the best method to detect breast cancer early, permitting the highest chance of cure. Unfortunately, some breast cancers will not show up on a mammogram so that if you have a lump that you can feel within your breast, other tests may be performed in addition to a mammogram such as an ultrasound or a biopsy.

David Chan, M.D.
Diplmate, American Board of Medical Oncology
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.