New Here

Options
Elizabeth37
Elizabeth37 Member Posts: 84
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I am 37 years old, I just had my first mammogram done and was told something was not right,they sent me to have an ultrasound,Later was told i need a  biopsy.The doctor call me in the to her office on April 6 2011 and told me i tested positive for breast cancer,I was told it was DCIS and positive for estrogen and progesterone receptor.I just dont know what to think.i am scard of the unknown

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • J9W
    J9W Member Posts: 395
    edited April 2011

    Dear Momoftwo11, the unknown is the scary part. It will get better once you start gathering your data. However, that in itself is frustrating. You are about to be waiting, waiting, waiting, for answers. Go over to the DCIS forum and you'll find all kinds of great info and lots of ladies who have been there before who can share info. So sorry you have to join us in this journey.  J9

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Thatgirl
    Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2011

    @momo.....sorry you had to join our group. This board has loads of information that can assist you in this unwanted journey. (((hugs)))

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • winkwink15
    winkwink15 Member Posts: 3
    edited April 2011

    The unknowns are the scary part.  Hang in there!  Take your time and keep in mind-- you are not alone on this journey! Smile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shannonW
    shannonW Member Posts: 186
    edited April 2011

    I was where u r two months ago. The shock wears off, you educate yourself about all things DCIS  and things do get better. One day at a time. :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rianne2580
    rianne2580 Member Posts: 191
    edited April 2011

    momof2,

    I would google like crazy. Find out what DCIS really means, it's such a gray area. What is the grade and how much do you have? I had DCIS with invasive cancer, ended up with a mastectomy (MX) but that does not mean you need one. Everyone is different. If you need someone to talk to, call the 1-800-4cancer. They are professionals and will help you sift through some of this. You can talk to a nurse or an oncology nurse. They helped me a lot. They are not there to tell you what to do, they explain what the current knowledge is about "in situ" 0 stage cancer. They also explain things are in constant flux, they are learning all the time. How they treated DCIS/LCIS 20 yrs ago is very different than they way the treat it now. Stay active and question your doctors, get 2nd opinions. Don't rest until you are satisfied. It's your body. Many many doctors have different opinions about DCIS. Be happy it's DCIS. My husbands co-worker's wife went in to the doctor because her leg ached. Thought it was a athletic injury...she had 4th stage breast cancer that mets to her bones. You are in good shape. Blessings to you!

    Rianne

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SJW1
    SJW1 Member Posts: 244
    edited April 2011

    Mom of 2,

    Since DCIS is non-invasive, you can take your time in deciding what to do next. The good news is you won't die from DCIS and you don't need chemo.

    However, not all DCIS is created equal. If you have low grade and a small amount you may only need a lumpectomy. Otherwise you will probably either have a lumpectomy with radiation or a mastectomy. 

    It is a good idea to get a copy of your pathology report and then a 2nd pathology opinion from an expert who looks at hundreds of pathology samples every year. That is because all your treatments will hinge on your pathology and pathologists differ as much as 25 percent of the time.

    Getting a 2nd pathology opinion made a huge difference in my treatment. I went from needing a mastectomy to only needing a lumpectomy without radiation or tamoxifen. 

    If you would like more info, please feel free to check out my website:

    https://sites.google.com/site/dciswithoutrads/home

    or send me a private message. 

    Best wishes,

    Sandie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • alexandria58
    alexandria58 Member Posts: 1,588
    edited April 2011

    I agree that you should take some time - not too much time - but get a second opinion on the pathology on the slides themselves as well as on the report.  If you don't feel comfortable with what your doctor is telling you, go for another opinion!! I went to five different doctors before deciding what to do after my lumpectomy; three of them only looked to see whether the "margins were clear," not at how large the area was that had small bits of DCIS scattered through ( approximately 7 cm by 4 cm) it or at the atypical lobular hyperplasia that was not only concurrent with the DCIS but in the margin.  A couple doctors had not read recent studies by Sloan Kettering and UCLA suggesting that the ALH, especially in the margin, doubles the risk of recurrence. Read everything you can find!! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Elizabeth37
    Elizabeth37 Member Posts: 84
    edited April 2011

    Thank you all

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2011

    Momof2

    I'm sorry you find yourself here but the good news is you will  learn alot and get much needed support.  DCIS is contained in the milk duct but I don't think you should let too much time go by as I too was dx with DCIS stage 0 but after lumpecomy and biopsy my report came back as stage 1 due to infiltration.  Meaning the DCIS broke through the wall of the duct and invaded the breast.  Mine is a small infiltration but it still change the original dx.  Unfortunately until the after surgery biopsy it was not seen as infiltrating.  Yes get second opinion but dont let too much time go by.

    hugs to ya!

    AJ

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ferbevi2001
    ferbevi2001 Member Posts: 11
    edited April 2011

    Hi momoftwo11:

    My story is very similar to your story. In 2009 I was not  37 years old yet  when I went for my  first mammogram, then  the biopsy and the final result was  DCIS. It was very hard for me, the first thing that came to my mind  were my two girls. Almost two years after I'm doing very well .  I think we have been lucky to find this so early . Think about your diagnose,  as  a little bump on your road and soon you will be over.Good luck with everything. At the beginning  is  very hard, but little by little everything will be better.

    Fernanda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories