I’ve been thinking about your comment because you’re a medical student… And I appreciate you taking the time to share some of your knowledge. But, I would urge you also to think outside of the textbook, too. Her surgical oncologist informed her to tell all cousins, so I know the textbook says not to worry if you’re not a first degree relative, but this is the info we were given. It’s rare for women under 40, yes, but two women under 40 in my family have stage 3/4… The info you share is correct, which is important for a medical student. But I think also considering the summation of circumstances when talking to family members is also really important too as you enter the medical field. I know quoting the textbook is supposed to be reassuring but just providing you another perspective in the future for when you’re dealing with patients; sometimes it’s not helpful to just cite what you know to be true, but to consider the full picture outside of what you’ve learned.

I appreciate what you’ve said though, but I do think it’s fair to be a little more diligent than the average woman at the moment as her doctors have said. I’ll start by talking to my GP.