Help! Mammogram question

[LorideeFL]

I am freaking out on the news I just got. I got a call back from the imaging center and so I went and got the report, and this is what it says:
"The breasts are composed of heterogeneously dense fibroglandular tissue. A nodular density in the inner right breast on CC view is not readily apparent on available comparisons. " "A palpable abnormality, either present or developing should be evaluated clinically in light of a negative mammogram"
They want me to come in for another mammo and an ultrasound. I have no family history, but haven't had a mammo in 4 years, due to no insurance.
I am absolutely petrified to the point of not being able to think about anything else.
Can someone decipher what they said in laymen's terms for me? They can't see me again until 5 days from now.
I just had a breast exam and neither the doctor nor I felt anything.
Lori

[sonu78]

Hi,
Went through the entire posts written from both of you.
The finding reported in the second mammogram is usually a benign finding and there should not be any worry about it being malignant. But still I wouldsuggestan ultrasound of the breasts to rule out any cystic pathology.
Kindly have it done and then fix up consultation with a surgeon.

[Dani904]

Oh I am so happy to hear you have good news, if they didn't even do an ultrasound I say don't worry, if there was anything suspicious they would have..
wonderful news!

[LorideeFL]

I went for my repeat mammo, and they said they think what they're seeing is either a blood vessel or vein looped around itself or a small cyst. The mammogram was extremely painful, but they didn't think I needed the ultrasound, so they sent me on my way, and I have to go back in 6 months to have another. They didn't seem too worried about it, so I guess I have a reprieve for a little while. I am going to try not to worry about it and just wait and see.
I kind of wish they would have just gone ahead and did the ultrasound, but hopefully everything is OK.
Thanks for listening and reassuring me. Oh, and I will NEVER miss my yearly mammogram again. I learned a very painful lesson this time!
Take care everyone.
Lori

[Dani904]

Do not blame yourself, that is the last thing to even think about.  You have no way of knowing that had you had mammograms in the last four years that it would have changed anything.  I was thinking the same way because I somehow missed a year, and I live in Canada so I don't have to pay, I simply thought I had gone in 2006.

As I said, I am not able to read results but it sounds to me that they are just checking something out,  I am not sure but perhaps even a cyst is considered abnormality...

When you go tomorrow, I would make a list of questions, anything that is causing you anxiety, so that when you leave your apt. you won't have anymore doubts.

I know how hard this is, trust me I am feeling everything you are feeling, I didn't even think to get a copy of my mammo and u.s results so I am so in the dark, that is why when I go next week I am going to make sure I know exactly what they think is going on, the hardest part is not knowing and understanding.

Try and get some rest today, and I hope you are eating, I know when I am upset, I tend not to eat.

I am sending huge postive thoughts your way and will be thinking of you and I believe although you are frightened about tomorrow you will feel so much better once it's over with.

[LorideeFL]

Thank you both for answering me.  do you think because they said "A palpable abnormality, either present or developing should be evaluated clinically in light of a negative mammogram" they actually see something there?  I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what that means, making myself crazy with it.
I have not been able to sleep at all worrying about it.  I go tomorrow for the repeat mammo and an ultrasound. because of the location of it is toward the icenter of my chest, inner part of the breast, I don't think it will be a lymph node, and because of that I am very worried about it being cancer.
I have no one to blame but myself if it is cancer, I haven't had a mammogram in 4 years, no insurance, but I didn't think I had to worry because I have zero risk factors. I mean, no family history, I breastfed 4 babies, and I am 47.
To me, it sounds like they definitely see a tumor or some such thing, can someone tell me if I am correct?
Thanks all
Lori

[zimexlady]

Be sure you get the ultrasound.....my mammogram did not show a thing.  Sssure enought, I had Stage I cancer and had decided years ago that should cancer ever invade my breasts that I would opt for a bi-lateral maastectomy.  Have never questioned that decision because now I do not have to worry about the other breast getting a lump and having to relive the whole thing again.  Mine was caught at Stage I and did not require chemo nor radiation....no lymph nodes were affected.   LUCKY ME ! Cancer has been a good thing for me because now I eat healthy, go to the gym five times a week, walk 2-4 miles a day and have the same figure I had in college.  I am 77 years old.  
"They" say my chances of a recurrance of cancer is 10-13% and I can live happily with that...............JUST GO GET THE DIAGNOSIS and do something about it.  Do not delay. I am 18 months out from my diagnosis and have never been healthier nor happier. BEST WISHES.  It will be OK.

[Dani904]

I wish I could help you with the med. terms on the report, but I am not at all informed in the terms.  I have no idea what my own said..but I can tell you I am going through much the same thing and want you to know I think it's normal to feel the way we do.

I went for first mammo in Aug, called back in September and have to go again next week..I know exactly how you are feeling.  Try to keep your mind busy, not an easy task I know.  In between the last two appt's I lost 8 lbs and made myself physically ill, and it won't change a thing.

We are strong, we may not always know it or feel it but we are, and we will get through whatever comes our way.

I will be thinking of you,
Barb