My Mom recently diagnosed with DCIS

If you don’t mind me asking, how did they arrive at the number 5 for radiation treatments?

I’m joining in as another “me too, same thing”! (Mammogram, calcifications found in my right breast, more pictures…followed by a needle core biopsy a week later and a DCIS diagnosis). I’m 72 and actually had my lumpectomy this morning. After resting most of the afternoon at home, I’m now coming out of that groggy stage. Surprisingly I feel pretty good and although I have pain and nausea meds on hand, I don’t feel that I need them yet. 🤞I hope this encourages you! I’m praying that I get good news at my post-op appointment next week. The only thing I’m dreading now is 4 weeks of radiation after a month of recovery from the surgery. My surgeon compares my treatment process to ‘pulling up a weed and then spraying around the area with Round-Up to further ensure that there’s nothing (unseen) left’. I’m very thankful that I will not have to do chemo or take an AI. I believe that my oncologist explained that was due to the fact that my cancer is negative for ER and PR. I’m trying to educate myself on breast cancer and I highly recommend “Breasts, The Owner’s Manual”; a book that I heard about on this blog; the author is Dr. Kristi Funk. One last thing: I’ve kept my diagnosis pretty quiet and only shared with family and close friends that I trust. Cancer is so very different for everyone and I think it only increases the burden when you get so much (possibly incorrect) advice and dreadful stories from other well- intentioned friends. Love to all on the journey and God Bless!

Because my DCIS area was very small (6mm x 4mm) and no residual DCIS was found during lumpectomy, my risk of recurrence is very low overall. So, 5 radiation treatments were recommended if I wanted to go that route. Aromatase inhibitor also recommended if I wanted to go that route. Lowers my risks even further, but I am still very much in the +/- camp on whether I will continue it. I generally just haven't felt well on it. Tired, fatigue, poor sleep, emotional. Not sure it is worth it....

I was diagnosed with DCIS in March and I am 67. I am scheduled for a lumpectomy on May 3. I guess it will be 2 weeks before I get the pathology report and treatment recommendations. I am researching the various options, I would like to avoid radiation since the tumor is right above my heart.

@blessed 6–I had a lumpectomy for DCIS on 4/4. It was low grade, stage 0, 7mm in size with 6mm clear margins. I am 65 and this was found in a routine mammogram. If it’s not presented to you, check the Sloan Kettering nomogram online (nomograms.mskcc.org) to find an estimated percentage of recurrence in 5 and 10 years for your circumstances. Mine is 6% after 5 years and 9% after 10, with no treatment other than lumpectomy, which seem small to me.

I opted against hormone blockers after medical oncologist said he would not prescribe for his wife in my situation (refreshing response!). Mine is also above my heart, which is a concern for radiation. There is a breath-holding technique which helps to avoid the heart. I have a CAT scan scheduled this week to see if localized vs full breast radiation is an option. My main concern is that you can only have radiation on an area of your body once. It seems like I would want to save that one time for the small chance of a recurrence if it was invasive.

Prayer is what I have found to be a guide. There is no right answer for everyone, only what you decide for yourself, unfortunately. Alternatively, there is promise in turmeric supplements, though not a lot of human research. Best wishes to you in your journey!