Diagnosed with DCIS: How do I decide on treatment?

Thank you, I am feeling at peace and need to get out of my head and have faith in the great physician who knows all.
I like hearing others experiences and thought not necessarily treatment suggestions.

I read an article recently that said doctors should stop saying "we got it all." A mastectomy does not necessarily mean no cancer cells are released.

We still have some estrogen production in our adrenals, after menopause. I presumed this was enough to feed cancer since I was 63 with a strongly positive ER score.

Many of us don't suffer significant side effects from the meds. I always think it is good to try if worry about side effects is causing you to decline. But everyone is different.

I have 3 kids and they were still pretty young when I was diagnosed at 63. I am 8 years out. For those of us with hormonal cancers, risk actually continues to go up, unfortunately. I had tests done after 5 years on letrozole and my risk had increased somewhat. I miss the safety of the meds!

@lvp1122 hello, and welcome to connect.
Only you can decide if this is right for you, but it sounds like a reasonable plan. I know there has probably been some anxiety about it, I hope you can connect with other members here who have had a similar diagnosis.
How are you feeling about it?

Hello
AI- Aromatase Inhibitors- hormone suppression meds.
I am 51 and post menopausal and they wanted to put me on hormone suppression meds.
Chose to decline.

I had all breast tissue removed in both breasts, nipple sparing, with silicone implants.
I wanted all breast tissue gone to lower my risks of any reoccurrence.
The skin is thin on the cancer breast. So they will do some lipo and fill it in. I actually schedule that procedure later this month.
It sounds like when they do the lumpectomy they want to do reduction augmentation to create symmetry. So they will remove tissue from the opposite breast as well so they are close to the same size.
When I was weighing my options I met with the radiation Dr. They wanted to do radiation and lumpectomy as well for me.
She agreed that I am really decreasing my chances of reoccurrence by having a mastectomy and agreed with my decision. That helped tremendously.

Thankyou
I am definitely leaning towards mastectomy
I’m 66 so don’t need the meds. Don’t think since I’m off the hormone replacement
Can I get away without radiation if
My lymph is neagative?
What is A1?

What type of reconstruction did u have? Decisions to be made here too🙁… nipple saving, skin saving , implants, fat lipo, fat grafting? What is the difference between a breast reduction argumentation ( that’s what they recommend with a lumpectomy & radiation) and a partial mastectomy ; only the amount of breast tissue removed? Ty

Thank you!
My reoccurrence score was 3% if I were to take AI, 6% without. They only provide 10yr. There is no way to determine lifetime risk. They always recommend the meds. An additional 3% chance is not worth it to me to take on additional damage the AI will cause. I have a coworker that is on the AI and she now has bone issues, teeth issues, trigger finger and thyroid issues. All from AI. She’s on more meds now than ever.
I have had no issues from my mastectomy. I do have to go in and they will take a little fat from where they can to add some volume above the implant. The cancer was so close to the surface and they had to take every bit of tissue. So the skin is thin. I will do this sometime this year. I had a hard bump show up on the cancer free breast that basically is scar tissue from the trauma of surgery. Had a biopsy to confirm and all is well.
Let me know if you have anymore questions! 😊

Thanks for sharing, I am sorry you had to join this club too. Have you had any issues with the mastectomy? Did they still recommend meds after the mastectomy? What was your % of reoccurrence after mastectomy? I was told 2% lifetime but I don't see that on any sites, I see 2% 10yr. My gut tells me just do the mastectomy and be done.
Prayers,
Lisa

Diagnosed 11, 2022, had lumpectomy 12-13-22, met with Radiation oncologist 1-10-23, recommended treatment 4 week Radiation, Hormone therapy.
I am 69 and a 21 year uterine cancer survivor.
I am praying this is right decision for me. Thoughts??