Should somebody with a family history of breast cancer be more adamant about examination early in life?

Even with + fam: Hx, evidence does not support early mammo's, and they add radiation exposure. Adamant or not, the yield is so low that the risk outweighs it. It it were risk free and cheap, and there are ultrasound devices in development that might do this, there might be a case.

Depends on age: You need to know who in the family has breast cancer and at what age. First degree relatives (mother, father, sister, grandmother) and very important. Do not forget your father's side of family. Breast self exam is important for every women. I advocate breast self exam for young women so they can develop good habits.