Diagnosed yesterday, small calcifications in my left breast.

Dear Galbooboo,
Do you mind tell me more about your DCIS pathology tissue results? What is the size of your tumor? Margins all >2 mm? I am still struggling on should I take radiation or Tamoxifen treatment. I am 65 now. Are you much younger? Thanks.

I just got my diagnosis yesterday (DCIS, R breast); awaiting a call to schedule the breast surgeon consultation; during the diagnosis call I got a lot of overwhelming info but I think I’m clear on next steps. Since I’m young, 53 and in good health, praying this will be a somewhat routine process - surgery and radiation 🤞; I know we are all different but being optimistic is the best approach in my opinion. My question is, are there specific questions I should ask the surgeon during the consultation?

Just got diagnosed with high grade DCIS on 3/7 and it’s been a very scary/nerve racking time.
I had an MRI not too long after that and ultrasound to investigate further a couple of areas of unknown masses in my other breast. Doctor says it’s not too concerning to her and MRI picks up everything but since they don’t know for sure what it is they have to biopsy. The last thing I need is more to worry about. I’m trying to think positively that these small masses are benign but it’s so difficult to not worry and wonder what if…. How does everyone get through the process from diagnosis to surgery.

Hi Daisy1282022,
I turned 68 last November and am in very good health. My DCIS measured 12mm X 11mm X 5mm. Margins were 2, 6,14,21,20 and 32mm. The tumor was positive for estrogen and progesterone. My surgeon was willing to refer me to an oncology radiologist if I was interested in that, but based on her scoring tools and my path report, she believed that radiation might be over treatment. I understand that most surgeons would still recommend radiation for this.
I decided to save the radiation option for the future, in case this or some other tumor occurs that is more dangerous or aggressive.
The medical oncologist recommended Tamoxifen for me because I have mild osteopenia and Tamoxifen is kinder to bones. I was very apprehensive about taking the hormone meds because I read about horrible side effects. But I felt that I had to try and I’m so glad that I did because I’ve been lucky to have had no issues with the medication. Good luck and stay positive. 🙏

Got it. So an estrogen blocking medication. I use Aromasin (Exemestane) as an estrogen blocking medication. Feel the gain around the abdomen as well. The body wants to preserve any estrogen it can, so lays down abdominal fat which can be estrogenic.

do you have any problem with memory. losing words, etc. need to talk to my oncologist to see if I should change meds. A happy and blessed day to all.

I am sorry you are having memory issues. Gremlins steal my words too.
There is conversation about this in the thread about aromatase inhibitors.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/arimidex/
I hope you can connect with folks talking about this class of drugs there.

Dear Galbooboo,
Do you mind tell me more about your DCIS pathology tissue results? What is the size of your tumor? Margins all >2 mm? I am still struggling on should I take radiation or Tamoxifen treatment. I am 65 now. Are you much younger? Thanks.

Your head must be spinning with all the info you received from both docs! I know I felt that way.

My breast surgeon recommended a book which I found very useful: “Breasts, An Owner’s Manual” by Dr. Kristi Funk. I was able to get it from my library but later bought a used copy. I’ve referred back to it many times.

I concur with the advice to bring someone with you to doc visits if you can. It’s too much info to absorb, especially as it’s normal to be in a panic about this.

I’ve had a lumpectomy for left breast DCIS, completed radiation and am not going to take the AIs. My radiation plan also used the deep inhalation (assisted by a machine, the “ABC” method) in order to keep the radiation as far as possible from my heart.

Take deep breaths and try to keep calmer. You will get through this! I found it took some time to go through the steps of the process—more detailed imaging after the first calcification sighting, a biopsy, an MRI…and then finally surgery, a few weeks of healing and then radiation. We are so fortunate to have all these things available to us, including this forum. Wishing you a successful journey through all of it—like many here have had!