Why I Chose to Get a Mammogram at 30

Over the weekend I did something that most 30-somethings probably haven’t started thinking about. I got a mammogram 😱. At this point you’re probably wondering, “WHY on Earth?!” My decision to get a mammogram at 30 wasn’t a spur of the moment decision or because I felt a lump. It’s actually something I’ve been planning for the past couple of years through planning with my primary care doctor and my genetic counselor. 

With Breast Cancer Awareness month coming up in October, I felt it was important to share my story of how I came to my decision. Maybe it will help you or a friend! You can read a bit more background about my decision to get a mammogram at 30 here and here.

Why I Chose to Get a Mammogram at 30

In short, my mom had breast cancer at 40. My aunt and great-grandmother on my mom’s side also had breast cancer in their 40s. Because of this (and other factors), I’m considered high risk for breast cancer. For those who are high risk (a genetic counselor can work with you to determine your risk level), generally that means getting a mammogram 10 years before your close loved one was diagnosed. For the general public who are not high risk, you do not need to be worried about getting a mammogram at 30!

Those who know me know I’m not one to sit around and wait for things to happen to me – I like to have a game plan at all times. Some may say I’m a control freak (I think I’ve even called myself that before 😅), while I like to think of it as prepared. Rather than sit around and wait for a possible diagnosis down the road, I decided (along with my primary care doctor and my genetic counselor) that it made sense for me to start getting one mammogram and one breast MRI a year once I turned 30.  

I think back to that initial appointment I had a few years ago with my genetic counselor where we went through my family tree (literally person by person) and the number who had been dealt a cancer diagnosis seemed terrifying. I think I sweat through that entire appointment. I walked out of the doors of the hospital, then through the parking garage to my car and I wished I had sunglasses. I was teary… I felt overwhelmed. And yet when I got home that night, I thought, “You know what… I have no control over where I came from, the cards I’ve been dealt, or the family history that’s in my genes. But I’m being proactive and coming up with a plan for myself.” Despite it feeling semi-overwhelming to have to make this decision at 27 or 28 years old, it felt empowering to feel somewhat in control of my fate.

So what was the actual mammogram like? Overall, it was very easy. The actual appointment took less than 10 minutes. You undress from the waist up an are given a robe that’s kept open in the front. The technician then pokes and prods and positions you in order to get the best possible images. Overall I believe 6 or so images were taken (3 or so on each side). I found some of the positions to be slightly painful, but it’s over very quickly! While this was a procedure I felt anxious about, I left feeling good that I was doing something that my future self would thank me for. 💗