confused about self breast exam

I am 31 years old.  I started taking breast self exam seriously about a year ago.  Since then I have been completely paranoid.  I think I assummed that my breasts would be smooth throughout and I would feel NOTHING.  However, I feel glandular type nodules all around my areolas, my breast feel quite fibrous near the top/ outer quatrant and they feel slightly grainy near the bottom side of my areolas.  I did have one painful lump in the spring and had an ultrasound determine that it was a cyst.  My question is....on the follow up for my cyst I had a bilateral mammogram done (per my request)  In the process of finding the cyst, follow up then yearly exam I have had 7 Clinical Breast exams.  Since the mammogram was NORMAL, should I assume that the nodularity I feel throughout my breasts is normal and I should from this point on look for changes in that?  I am just scared to death about breast cancer and want some closure.  thank you

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear 1217: Breast-self-examination is recommended to identify changes in breast tissue.  As you have explained, breast tissue does not feel uniform or smooth.  So, what you are looking for in your monthly (refrain from doing this more often) breast exam, is changes.  This is why it is recommended to do the breast self exam at about the same time every month, so that cyclical changes do not make you more confused.