Michaela Del Barrio had always known that her family history of breast cancer meant she had a higher risk than most of being diagnosed with the disease.

In her 20s, doctors had told her she was too young to dwell on those concerns. However, after the birth of her second child, she began to worry more about her odds.

One day, during a standard doctor's appointment, Del Barrio asked her doctor if there were any options for her to start receiving mammograms early. Her physician directed her to Northwestern University's high-risk breast clinic. After a risk assessment , she had her first mammogram at 36 years old. The exam was clear but the clinic's assessment also allowed her to undergo a breast MRI.

"A week later, I got a call saying they had seen two suspicious masses in my l

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