DCIS: Making lifesytle changes but feel I should do more.

I post this with a qualifier that I am not an expert in Human Resources. However, I used FMLA and was never asked to provide treatment details … only PCP signing off on ppwk to verify that I couldn’t work.
Anecdotally I have not heard of anyone being denied coverage in the future if they opted out of certain treatments.
I am not yet on Medicare still have group insurance through employer.
Please share if you experience something different!
Best to you!

I will jump onto the pile here and just say, it is pretty common to have all of this emotion and insomnia after you have the lumpectomy, because now it’s your turn to think about the decisions and the long term possibilities. I don’t know anyone who is diagnosed and facing treatment that isn’t considering side effects and quality of life. I promise it will get easier, and don’t be afraid to ask for support where you need it.
I agree with most of the others that many women take these drugs with no problem at all, they usually are not posting on forums although this one is better than most in that effect.
I took anti estrogen therapy for 15 years and I would do it again, the side effects were not horrible and it was something I could do to help prevent recurrence.
Radiation wasn’t horrible, mine was long and exhausting but that was almost 20 years ago and barely even resembles what radiation looks like today. Again, I would do it again if I needed to.
All of that being said, remember you get the most important vote in your treatment plan. The doctors job is to make sure you can make a well informed decision by giving you the risk and benefit information of the choices. My doctor said he is a risk manager. Lol
Do you have a little time before your appointment? Have you already received the recommendations for treatment or discussed these with your doctor?

Making treatment decisions after my lumpectomy for DCIS stage 0 with clear margins and a really good pathology report has been just as hard as dealing with the original diagnosis. I avoided a lot of research until after I had initial appointments with the radiation oncologist and the medical oncologist. I understand no one can make the decision for me--wish they could (smile). But at 65 with the great surgery outcome and 0 stage, I want to avoid radiation since reputable research suggests there can be DCIS over treatment. I do plan to do hormone therapy even if I pass on radiation. Just wondering if others in my situation and butterflyeffect777 decided against radiation.

Hello,
I recently had a lumpectomy and was diagnosed with DCIS. The Path report says I have “extensive DCIS, low to intermediate grade, 3cm tumor. I have upcoming Sentinel Node Biopsy surgery and until I have the results of that, my doc wants to wait to come up with a treatment plan.
I’ve been reading this thread and see people are saying they refused Radiation treatment.
Does anyone think it’s important and beneficial to do Radiation for this type of cancer?
Thank you!

Hello, I am newly diagnosed with DCIS 3cm tumor in left breast. I am to see a Breast Surgeon Monday coming. Nervous....any advice would be MOST appreciated. Thank you in advance

Sorry..need to add...my lumpnodes in left armpit was involved as well...
Any advice or guidance is greatly appreciated. THANKS

Hi dmosssadler,
Wow, we are in the same boat! It will be nice to chat with you as we go through this!
I just had a lumpectomy for a 3cm DCIS tumor in my right breast.
I also have a very rare type of invasive cancer called Low Grade Adenosquamous (my surgeon found it next to my DCIS during surgery) and am having a Sentinel Node Biopsy (SNB) on Monday to see if it spread.

How did they find out your lymph nodes were involved? Did they do a SNB?

It is all definitely nerve wracking so I completely understand how you feel!

Hello...I had an ultrasound for left armpit & a Biopsy & that's how they found out cancerous cells in Lymps first..& then they gave me a Breast MRI where they found 1 3cm in Left brest & 2 1 cm in Right Brest..after biopsies of both breast, findings were both masses in Right breast were Benign but the Left was cancer cells...
I found all this out within the last 2 weeks..so I have an appointment thus Monday coming to speak with a Breast Cancer physician..I guess to discuss treatment options...

Can u tell me what involves a lympectomy? & what was ur experience?

When I had a lumpectomy, it was taken outpatient and they gave me meds and instruction and it wasn’t too bad. I think I did take take a few analgesics. It really was not as bad as I feared. The worst part was waiting for the unknown, and mine was pretty big.
I pray your is as easy as mine. So is your surgery Monday or your consult with the surgeon on Monday?

I’m new to this forum, so my apologies if I missed the answer to my question, but in reference to your diagnosis do you mind sharing what signs/symptoms you had? I had a mammo and ultrasound earlier this week and a core biopsy yesterday.