Breast cancer is so prevalent and one of the few cancers we can catch early these days with easy and relatively painless screening. I don't see a reason to discontinue unless the person is at an age or physical state where they wouldn't treat cancer anyway.

Since Alzheimer's is more of a catchall term for what used to be called senile dementia. Without a brain scan the doctor is simply shooting in the dark as to what type if any of the 70+ types of dementia a person has. However if after the brain scan is done and it is negative you might want to explore being tested for the various genetic types of Alzheimer's and a couple of other dementias since you have a family history of dementia.

When my mother was in her mid 80's, her doctor asked us if she'd like a mammogram and said it was optional at her age. She was undecided, we agreed to think about it and never did make the appointment. She's 92 now and healthy other than some memory issues and osteoporosis.

The dr said that in his time of being a dr he has probably only seen one true case of Alzheimers. He also said that he preferred her to do some testing before they do a brain scan. We also talked about her not taking her cholesterol medicine since cholesterol bulids plaque that then adds on to dementia. She also hates wearing her hearing aid and we talked to her about her hearing aid even keeping her brain more healthy. I took her the other day to get her hearing aid cleaned and fitted properly.

My mom is 91. She’s legally blind and had heart trouble which resulted in valve surgery. She’s on 8 medications. I take her to her PCP, cardiologist and lab appointments. It has never been recommended or even mentioned by either doctor.

jewels it is good that your doctor knows about the low incidents of real Alzheimer's as most doctors do not seem to know.

One cavate with the cholesterol medication. I am one of a small percentage that taking them induces what my doctor at that time called pseudo-dementia. I have taken between 5-8 different ones and eventually they all have the same effect. There would be days that I could want something. Stand up from my chair and it took some deep thinking to remember why I stood up. By the time I reached the door to the other room I could not remember. While medications for cholesterol help millions what happens to me goes beyond the "mental fuzziness" that is listed as a side effect. Once I stop the medication it takes a couple of months before I am fully functioning.

I asked my doctor about this a while ago, and she said mammograms are needed for the rest of my life (I am 73). So that's what I will do. Even tho there has been no breast cancer in my family.

I appreciate everyone's opinions and advice. I will keep these all in consideration when we go to all of her dr appointments.

I'm 71 and plan on getting them for a loooong time!

https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/UpdateSummaryFinal/breast-cancer-screening1

https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Tools/ConsumerInfo/Index/information-for-consumers

Great website to see what screenings are recommended based on age & gender.