At what age should I start getting mammograms?
First of all, I hope that you’re getting an annual checkup, which includes a clinical breast exam, right? Keep doing that. And, reliably check your own breasts once a month, that’s a great first line of defense. A little “hint”…. if you’re checking yourself dry (as in in not in the shower), put a bit of 100% cornstarch baby powder on your fingertips, you”ll be amazed at the increase in sensitivity. Make sure it’s 100% cornstarch. And on the mammogram… check with your doctor. But if you were coming into my office and practice, I’d probably do a “baseline” mammogram at about 35, which is normal practice. After that, they/we usually start annual mammograms at 40. For you, I might do your “next” one at maybe 37-38, and then do annuals at 40. John Jones, M.D.
