DCIS. in SITU stage 0 Treatment

Thank you for your information. I appreciate all input.
You have survived a lot and your strength and courage have gotten you to the other side of this!

I switch from my private insurance to Medicare come this Sept as I am turning 65 in Sept.
I have my medicare in place and a medigap part G plan in place to cover the additional 80% that medicare does not cover. I have an open plan where I am able to see any doctor in the US who accepts medicare. Just have to ensure the doctors are extremely specific with diagnosis orders for approval from medicare every time I need a specific test or the like.
I have been going only to the Memorial Breast Cancer Center in Hollywood Fl for my Mammos/Ultrasounds and Biopsies. I felt it best to go to a hospital where breast cancer is their primary focus. I live in Vero Beach which 2 hours away from there.
We do not even have a Specialized Breast Oncologist in this town or a specialized Breast Surgeon. Only generalized oncologists, generalized surgeons and generalized radiologists.
My husband does the driving so that is big help!!
I will consult with my oncologist and breast surgeon regarding an MRI after my biopsy in August. Staying positive for a benign result. As you suggested, an MRI would be best to see what the biopsy and Mammo cannot.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey and knowledge with me.🙏

Hi Alice. Hugs to you and sending you encouragement. It is good to ask questions and seek knowledge. I was diagnosed with breast cancer April 2026. I am turning 63 in one week. I am a retired RN which has been helpful in navigating this but it's still hard and I have had a lot to learn... Unfortunately, I have (had!) DCIS bilateral breasts with invasive DCIS to left breast. Small tumor 1.2 cm with 8 mm invasion and ER/PR positive and HER2 negative. Due to lack of breast tissue it was recommended I have double mastectomy. I had above muscle NS implants as well that were removed with mastectomy. I had my surgery 6/26/26 - double mastectomy with direct to implant with ADM (a type of mesh that supports the implants). So mastectomy and reconstruction at once which is nice! I had excellent surgeons which is key - had to wait a little to get my surgery due to getting 2 busy surgeons scheduled for my operation.... After contrast MRI before surgery it was determined I could do nipple sparing BUT I chose to have them removed and also per the plastic surgeon better plan since I was going down in implant size considerably and tissue needed to be removed. I am about 1 1/2 weeks out and it has gone well overall. Surprisingly pain has been very well managed and the hardest part is the activity precautions and managing the drains. I had clear margins (PTL), clear lymph nodes (4 taken to L) and no blood loss during surgery. I have even located a very skilled medical tattoo artist (that is actually local!) to do my realistic 3D medical tattoos - it's VERY realistic btw- but this will not be done until I am about 6 months out from surgery. All this to say ---- I had to go down an aggressive surgery path and in a lot of cases this is NOT needed but it was the best option for me. It has been a lot to process but I have managed to stay very intent on getting well (it's hard and yes I have had some dark days along the way). I caution you to be careful what you search for and read you hear about the bad stories and maybe not as much about the good stories. I have a book I would recommend: Breast Cancer: From Diagnosis to Breakthrough Treatment: Everything You Need to Know - Sophie Domingues-Montanari PhD - get the new updated 2025 edition. I follow a healthy diet and have a healthy lifestyle and exercise not allowed now but once able I will slowly get back into that. I will not need chemotherapy as the Oncotype DX lab was done on my tumor and the score was only 13. (This genetic lab only covered if you have invasive DCIS but it basically gives you information about how your cancer "behaves"). Now the endocrine therapies not sure about those - I am now being referred to a medical oncologist who will follow me long term...but will wait to see the recommendations. I do want the highest quality of life possible. Wishing you peace as you navigate this journey. I am so thankful to be on the road to recovery!! Love and hugs to all, Janie

I’m going this month for my first 6-month mammo after initial DCIS stage 0 diagnosis. There has been no MRI exam ever on my breast, and none is scheduled. My initial (and only so-far) biopsy was done with ultrasound guidance. Any advice as to how to have a successful resolution in getting an MRI to gather more diagnostic information? Advocating for oneself is a stress on its own, and sometimes I feel as though those of us who are non-doctors are expected to be uninformed and non-participants in the treatment process.