There's no absolute normal, bizemom - what's abnormal for someone else may be normal for you. It's understandable that you're a bit panicked about breast cancer, between your mom having had it, and your friend. But don't let your fear overtake reason.

Here's what I think. If you've had these nodules for several years, and they don't change, then they're normal for you. If you have a mammogram every year, you're doing the very best possible thing to deal with the possibility of breast cancer. An MRI won't "prove" anything, one way or another - MRIs are notorious for picking up "false positives," e.g., identifying areas as "suspicious" and precipitating lots of worry and possibly a biopsy, when it's simply normal breast tissue. If regular breast self exams stress you out - don't do them! The American Cancer Society no longer recommends them. What IS recommended is you understanding your own baseline - feeling and recognizing lumps that are always there. And then, reporting any changes to a doctor (new lumps, growing lumps, or other conditions that appear suddenly and don't go away).

If you can step away from your fear, and remember that the vast majority of women lead lives free of breast cancer, you'll be doing yourself a favor. So, report any NEW breast issues to a doctor; but don't stress about lumps or nodules that you've had for months or years, ones that never change. I hope you'll give this a try, OK? Fear is tough; but it's controllable. Please read our post on fear; it might help you out. Good luck - PJH