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Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older. Breast cancers that occur in younger women tend to be quite aggressive.
Breast cancer is a result of an abnormal and uncontrolled division of certain types of cells in the breast tissue. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells of the breast and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass (also called a tumor).
The cancerous lump in the breast tissue may lie undetected for 2 to 5 years.
The lymph nodes in the armpit, inside the breast, and near the collarbone are the sites to which breast cancer most frequently spreads.
Stages of breast cancer range from 0 – 4 and each stage is characterized by different symptoms and treatment options. The method of staging is called TNM staging which indicates the size, location and extent of spread of cancer.
You might feel some discomfort when your breasts are compressed.
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Discomfort during a mammogram procedure varies from patient to patient. While some may experience discomfort due to the compression of the breast, most often, women find this procedure tolerable.
- The variations in the levels of discomfort or pain may differ depending on the size of your breasts.
- Timing of the exam related to your menstrual cycle
- The skill level of the technician performing your mammogram and
- The positioning of your breast
A mammogram does not take longer than 20 to 30 minutes.