I was so encouraged to read your story and that you're doing so well and are back to your fun and regular activities! I was diagnosed with DCIS grade 2 in Feb., 2023 and just underwent a bilateral mastectomy 4 days ago at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix! (Area of concern was too large for a lumpectomy) I am feeling so much better than I anticipated after this procedure, which was my very first surgery ever in my life. I also had the sentinel lymph nodes biopsied during the procedure and am thrilled that all came back clear as well! No radiation or meds needed- just time to heal up, which is going quite nicely so far!
Why did you have a Bilateral? I was told DCIS is non invasive & doesn’t spread? I have it on my left breast & they are gonna to do a Mastectomy but I’m concerned about my right breast!!!
Why did you have a Bilateral? I was told DCIS is non invasive & doesn’t spread? I have it on my left breast & they are gonna to do a Mastectomy but I’m concerned about my right breast!!!
I was told that having it on one side increases your risk of developing it on the other side, and I would have had to do mammograms every six months and possibly take Tamoxifen for five years if I left the right side untouched. I also took symmetry into consideration. It was the right choice for me and gave me more peace of mind, but I realize some people do choose single mastectomy. The doctor also mentioned that they would be on high alert for suspicious findings in the left breast if I left, it untouched, and I would likely have more biopsies than the “normal person.”
I was told that having it on one side increases your risk of developing it on the other side, and I would have had to do mammograms every six months and possibly take Tamoxifen for five years if I left the right side untouched. I also took symmetry into consideration. It was the right choice for me and gave me more peace of mind, but I realize some people do choose single mastectomy. The doctor also mentioned that they would be on high alert for suspicious findings in the left breast if I left, it untouched, and I would likely have more biopsies than the “normal person.”
Hi, I have read thru the comments on this post and the difference in treatments for DCIS ' Ductal Carcinioma In Situ' is very wide and varied. I'm wondering why - is it based on history of the patient. It just seems to me that the variation of protocol of treatment is interesting. Like there is not a 'standard' if you will, which I know is diverse dealing with cancer. But this is a very early cancer. I had DCIS with a lumpectomy about 20 yrs ago. Took tamoxifen for about 3 yrs until side effects occurred. My oncologist was like - take a vacation from the med and if S/E better, then stop. No testing to see where my estrogen level was or anything - just 'you can stop if S/Es get better. I don't feel that was a "Medical" decision as it wasn't based on much of anything. This is just an observation. Blessings to you all and we all have decisions to make. My point is that Drs. sometimes just pull decisions out of their hat.
I had dcis invasive breast cancer did a lump and reconstruction on the right. Radiation for 6 weeks and taking anastrozole for the next 5-7 years. Mine was estrogen positive with her2 negative. So chemo wasn’t an option for me because of the side effect were worse then my cancer.
Been on anastrozole just about a year (Aug) will be a year. Had emotional outbursts for 2 months until they finally kicked in good now. Just starting with hot flashes ugh. The dcis did hit my lymph nodes. 1 had cancer and the other one had a micro so they have to say 2 lymph involved.
The cancer started in my milk ducks close to my chest wall then went to lymph’s.
In saying that. First mammogram in Feb was all clear no signs of cancer. However, because I had dense breast they are going to MRI with/without contrast in between my mammogram so every 6 months I will be check. I said sign me up. I’m 59 and wait to live without breast cancer reoccurring. If so catch this darn virus early.
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Hello! Thanks for sharing. I’m in Scottsdale and would love to know who you saw at Mayo.
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3 ReactionsWhy did you have a Bilateral? I was told DCIS is non invasive & doesn’t spread? I have it on my left breast & they are gonna to do a Mastectomy but I’m concerned about my right breast!!!
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2 ReactionsMy breast surgeon was Dr. Barbara Pockaj, and my plastic surgeon was Dr. Edwin Reece. I had a wonderful experience with both!
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4 ReactionsI was told that having it on one side increases your risk of developing it on the other side, and I would have had to do mammograms every six months and possibly take Tamoxifen for five years if I left the right side untouched. I also took symmetry into consideration. It was the right choice for me and gave me more peace of mind, but I realize some people do choose single mastectomy. The doctor also mentioned that they would be on high alert for suspicious findings in the left breast if I left, it untouched, and I would likely have more biopsies than the “normal person.”
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5 ReactionsDid you have reconstruction done?
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2 ReactionsYes I had it done during the same surgery as the double mastectomy. They referred to it as a “Direct to implant, nipple sparing mastectomy.”
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5 ReactionsHi, I have read thru the comments on this post and the difference in treatments for DCIS ' Ductal Carcinioma In Situ' is very wide and varied. I'm wondering why - is it based on history of the patient. It just seems to me that the variation of protocol of treatment is interesting. Like there is not a 'standard' if you will, which I know is diverse dealing with cancer. But this is a very early cancer. I had DCIS with a lumpectomy about 20 yrs ago. Took tamoxifen for about 3 yrs until side effects occurred. My oncologist was like - take a vacation from the med and if S/E better, then stop. No testing to see where my estrogen level was or anything - just 'you can stop if S/Es get better. I don't feel that was a "Medical" decision as it wasn't based on much of anything. This is just an observation. Blessings to you all and we all have decisions to make. My point is that Drs. sometimes just pull decisions out of their hat.
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4 ReactionsI had dcis invasive breast cancer did a lump and reconstruction on the right. Radiation for 6 weeks and taking anastrozole for the next 5-7 years. Mine was estrogen positive with her2 negative. So chemo wasn’t an option for me because of the side effect were worse then my cancer.
Been on anastrozole just about a year (Aug) will be a year. Had emotional outbursts for 2 months until they finally kicked in good now. Just starting with hot flashes ugh. The dcis did hit my lymph nodes. 1 had cancer and the other one had a micro so they have to say 2 lymph involved.
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3 Reactions@chickenmom10 Blessings to you. Stay strong. Hot flashes are a pain bit maybe they will pass.
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2 ReactionsThe cancer started in my milk ducks close to my chest wall then went to lymph’s.
In saying that. First mammogram in Feb was all clear no signs of cancer. However, because I had dense breast they are going to MRI with/without contrast in between my mammogram so every 6 months I will be check. I said sign me up. I’m 59 and wait to live without breast cancer reoccurring. If so catch this darn virus early.
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3 Reactions