DCIS grade 3

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Dr. Simmons is an Integrative Oncologist, Breast Surgeon, and Author.

DCIS means that cancer cells still confined in the duct. That’s good result for cancer dx. You might want to ask about your treatment options and chances of cancer recurrence. Ask about cancer gene testing if you’re not the only one with cancer in the family. It helps deciding whether bilateral mastectomy is recommended. Still quite a few decide on BXM because the DCIs is found on both breasts. I have brca mutation so I went for BMX. I went flat and happy about it. Wish you all the best.

@myoga I have signed up for genetic testing as I assumed that would help me make my surgery/treatment decisions. Thank you for that info.
How long did it take you to heal?

@kjr22
It took me 2 months to feel normal again, but that was because of the hematoma on the radiated breast. You should feel much better after the drains are taken out, usually within 2 weeks. Find a good surgeon. That makes a big difference! My sister had a good one and she was sailing through recovery like nothing happened. And I mean that. The next day she was already up wanting to clean the house! She only took one pain killer because she was nervous. Make sure you have nerve blocking, it will keep the pain away for at least 2 days, and wear compression bra. The hospital will put one on you after the surgery and hopefully give you an extra one to change. It took me longer to recover but everyone recovers in the end. Now it feels like a blip on the radar to me. My surgery was January last year.
Bad gene or not, the lucky thing is that you found out very early. Chemo is not a part of DCIS treatment ( I haven’t come across anyone that needs chemo for DCIS) since the cancer cells are still in the duct and most likely not in your lymph nodes. You will think about it a lot at the beginning then eventually put it on the back burner. We have quite a few a few members with stage 4 and still here after 10 years.
Let me know if you have more questions.

Thank you! For the info and reassurance! You’ve got a great attitude and perspective…I appreciate that so much.
How do I find a good surgeon?

@myoga I just want you to know that your remarks are some of the most compassionate, supportive, instructive, and straight-forward that I’ve read here in the last year! Thank you for saying what I’ve felt in my heart since the rediscovery of my BC: DCIS in 2002 and ILC in 2024. The only thing I want to add? I NEVER said, or even thought, “why me?” Because if BC isn’t mine it’s yours, my friend’s, my relatives’s, my neighbor’s. And who do I think I AM that it shouldn’t be mine, my BC?
It puts everything in perspective because cancer (more broadly) is everywhere. We should be more focused on 1)why is that true and 2)what has added to the increased diagnoses?? More testing earlier only finds it earlier, it hasn’t answered those 2 questions…

Hello dear, you clearly put Grad 3 in huge letters, but most or too many or all doctors and most survivors or others, who focus on the word DCIS, love to cherry coat and make you ignore the elephant in the room, GRADE 3. There is a reason cancer is described generally in 3 grades, 1, 2, & 3. Yes, you have the least good grade, or the more difficult to treat, often described as shaped differently, grows differently, more aggressive, etc. There is nothing more annoying than people gas lighting us grade 3 survivors into fake believing that grade 3 is the same as DCIS grade 1. There is a huge difference, difference in statistics for prognosis, and survival rates. I personally want the truth in statistics because it allows me to plan my what life I have more proactively. No one knows what will happen, but for certain, if one has grade 3 cancer vs grade 1 cancer, there is a statistical unfavorable difference. Knowing this, accepting this, allows me to plan more good times, more vacations, get my affairs in order sooner than later, and that give me peace...not lies not passive aggressive cherry coating. I have DCIS grade 3, HER2(3+), and that not good, because that means that the most common treatment of tamoxifin, will not work for me to attempt to lessen recurrence rate..there is no real treatment, except cutting, radiation, maybe immunitherapies, via chemo if I allow myself to go there...but enjoy life daily. I ignore people who like to ignore my reality.

@mimi09
OMG, thank you so much for the compliment! I’m honored and humbled by the kindness of your words. There are quite a few of our sisters here deserving that compliment than I . You’re one of them, our mentors (@mir123, @loribmt, ..) Then our sisters @lifetraveler, @californiazebra, @katgob, @ssmab when I first received the dx. Sorry if i missed your name.
I, too, have read your posts and drawn strength from them. You have dealt with this bc by yourself and use your strength to help others. Thank you!
And yes, can’t agree with you more. Cancer has become so prevalent and the young people are not spared any longer. The fund to do research to find out why has to come from our government. Pharmaceutical companies are not going to spend money to reduce their profits. I hope is that the all the famous people would come out with their dx and to use their platform to raise awareness of cancer.
May I said that I have never come across anybody from PA that I don’t like. I was in Erie for two years and was touched with the kindness and honesty of the people. Love PA, but can’t stand the weather. Too cold for me!

@kjr22
I really don’t know. But please somebody help answering this question. Mine is not a good one to recommend.

@myoga DCIS grade 3 does not imply clean margins. Ask about surgeon, & the many effective treatments available . Take someone with you, take notes