Breast Lump & Mammogram Concerns: What to Do?

Question
I am 37 yrs old, had 1st mammogram 2 yrs ago, have & still have small something or other near the edges of my left breast (near breast bone), I wonder if this even made it on the Breast mammogram, it is so close to my bone area.  I was told the mammogram was fine & not to have to get another until 40 yrs.  It just bothers me that this is there(Been there for as long as I can remember).  I know if I go back to the Gynocologist again, he will just send me for another mammogram that might not even pick this up.  Wondering if the area of the breats that are compressed in those machines ALWAYS cover the areas that the Breasts GET CANCER?? If so, I will not worry about this any more.   I have no family history of Breast cancer.  I did have a non-cancerous small lump I found on my own removed 4 yrs ago- on the other breast.    Do calcifications always happen on the breast edges--probably what this is.  I just don't want another mammogram if not nesecarry-nothing has changed.   CAn I go to a Doctor and request that he stick a needle thru this for more information -but no mammogram?  Thanks !  

Answer
Dear Renee,   First of all calcifications can appear in any part of the breast and certain formations of calcifications are what radiologist look for and call suspecious when doing a mammogram....  Sometimes, depending on the formation of the calcification, this could indicate cancer....  

However, if the calcification is on a BONE, then usually this is not cancer and instead referred to as a calcium deposit of the bone.....  You should talk to your doctor about doing a sonogram/ultrasound of this lump you are worried about....  If this doctor is a good doctor he will try to do anything that will put your mind at ease, but you MUST sit down and talk to him heart to heart....  The sonogram/ultrasound will be done specifically where this lump is and should be identifiable on this test... Identifiable meaning a cyst, mass, calcium deposit (not related at all to a breast calcification) etc....

Mammograms, even though they are good at diagnosing breast cancer can not always catch things that are outside of the area x-rayed....  This is why sonograms/ultrasounds are often used and why women prior to age 40 and women with extremely dense breasts are required to get these particular tests when something is not right...

Thank you,   karen