Breast Lumps on Clinical Breast Exam, but nothing on Mammogram or Ultrasound

[CJHump]

Hey....I am 35 years old and I am 1 yr post-op from a Hysterectomy (kept ovaries).  I was wondering my Gyn just confirmed that I had 2 lumps in my left breast and the pain(in breast and armpit)that I was feeling was probably from the lumps sitting on a nerve.  Anyway, I had a Mammogram and Ultrasound and the report said that both breasts were heterogeneously dense.  I was supposed to take the reports to a General Surgeon, but I wonder if this is necessary, since nothing was found on either Mammogram or Ultrasound?  I would greatly appreciate any advice you could give.

Thanks,
CJH

[spjr]

Hi, I'm 32 and 2 weeks ago the nurse practionner found a lump during my yearly exam.  I went to the GP and she sent a req. to the hospital.  I just got back the results of my ultrasound and mammogram over the phone from a nurse at the clinic.  The ultrasound was negative, the mammogram found a spot but it looked benign.  I didn't get the birad rating, all the medical jargon over the phone was confusing.  She made an appointment with the GP in 2 weeks time to discuss the readings and told me to go back for another mammo in 1 year.  I'm concerned that although the results were negative, everyone that has examined me (even the radiologist) can feel this lump.  Should I request a needle biopsy to make certain?  Is it safe to wait a full year?  Another concern is that I don't have a regular GP, the one I'm seeing only comes in a couple times a month because the clinic is so short staffed.  During my initial exam I wanted her to check a swelling in my throat as well and she could feel nothing, even though I have a prominent 'cold' nodule on my thyroid that can be seen as well as felt.  I feel like I should take my result to someone else for a second opinion as I do not have confidence in this doctor.  Am I panicking?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear CJH:  It is not uncommon for young women to have dense breast tissue.  However, dense tissue makes mammogram interpretation more difficult.  In general, if a lump can be felt, it requires futher investigation.  Sometimes a mammogram or ultrasound can determine the nature of the lump (a cyst, for example) and there would be no need to see the surgeon.  If these tests are not helpful, it is usually advised to see a surgeon for further investigation.