High grade DCIS and mastectomy/future risk

Beverly0714

I had a mastectomy in August of 2012.  I now have a palpable mass on the other side which was biopsied.  The surgeons office called and said they needed me back right away to do more biopsies.  Am I at higher risk now?  Does anyone know the likelihoodof developing bc on the other side?

MCbeach

Hi Beverly-

I believe you do (but I could be wrong too). I'm new, just diagnosed with DCIS gr 3, so I'd love to know this too! I'm sure one of these lovely ladies will know.

And very sorry to hear you are going through this again.

Beesie

What my oncologist told me is that once someone has been diagnosed with BC one time (including DCIS), her risk to be diagnosed again with a new primary in either breast is about double that of the average woman the same age. I was 49 when I was diagnosed; the average 49 year old has about an 11% remaining life time risk (to the age of 90). That made my risk about 22%.

I'm now 8 years past my diagnosis, so my 'remaining lifetime risk' is now about 18%. It goes down over time simply because as we get older, we have fewer years left in our 'remaining lifetime'.

I've seen some articles that quote a higher risk than what my oncologist told me, but I've seen other articles (and one recent study) that suggested a lower risk. And of course personal factors - any related health issues, family history, other risk factors - also play into what your risk is estimated to be.

So the answer is "yes", you are higher risk. But there are differing opinions on how much higher the risk is.

AmyQ

I believe you are at higher risk as Beesie outlined which is one of the main reasons I chose prophylactic removal of my other breast even though only one was necessary. As it turned out, early stage cancer was found, therefore it was just a matter of time. I am sorry you need to go through this again. Never fun...never!