I'm 20 years old and have a family history of breast cancer. when should i start getting mammograms?

Talk to your doc: Depends on the number of family members and their exact relationship to you (grandmothers and aunts don't count as much as mothers or sisters in terms of increased risk). Also family history of ovarian cancer raises a major red flag and may warrant genetic testing. Family history of uterine and/or colon cancer is also worrisome. Best to discuss all of this with someone knowledgable in high risk.

10yrs earlier...: ...Than the age of diagnosis of any close relative with breast cancer, or at age 40 (whichever age is lower). As an aside, you may want to clarify with a breast doctor just how high your risk is for breast cancer. Most cases of breast ca are environmental, not hereditary. People have a tendency to assume more risk than may actually be present.