Timing from DCIS diagnosis to surgery

You sound like you have a story similar to mine.  In Feb 2001, I had two areas of DCIS is left breast.  Had lumpectomy, rads and had the BRCA2 gene.  My oncologist at the time said my cancer was not aggressive, and my husband and I ended up adopting as a result of that diagnosis.  Best thing that ever happened to me!  DR told me my worry would be cancer in other breast, yet at the time, no one suggested BMX.  (remember this was years ago, and thinking has changed since then). 

Well, that oncologist closed his practice, we moved and this past august, new oncologist found DCIS in other breast,  Same slow growing crap. Whoo hoo.  Did not have my surgery until mid November due to the fact that first plastic surgeon would only do bilateral lat flap surgery and I was not willing to strip a muscle off my back to reconstruct my breasts. So it took awhile to see second surgeon and arrange surgery!  And keep in mind, no doctor told me I NEEDED a BMX, I decided I wanted one.    I am very lucky I finally did it.  I never had any lymph node involvement.  Never had chemo.  I had at about 3 months between the mammo and surgery as well (with second time around!)

But I have to say, AFTER my BMX I do feel an amazing freedom from worry.  All the testing.  And I really lived life and didn't dwell on it.

I guess my point to you with my whole long story is I had DCIS multiple times, surgery wasn't always immediate and I am fine.  I also have the BRCA gene so I understand your fear.  But the wait of an extra few weeks with DCIS should not matter too much.  It often times is the way things work.  We always think, CANCER!  get it out of me as soon as possible!  But sometimes, with the testing, needing to find out exactly what type of cancer they are dealing with, scheduling two surgeons  etc it takes time for surgery to be done.  I think you are in a reasonable window of time for your situation, and I wish you all the best.  I had an easy time of the BMX and am back to life as normal.  Take as much care of yourself leading up to the surgery, eat right, exercise!  and hopefully things will go well for you!

depends on your doctor and you about the estrogen. I had my ovaries out 10 years ago.  Since my cancer was so estrogen dependant, I thought that would lower my risk of recurrence .  My old dr let me have some vaginal suppositories of estrogen after.  New doctor thinks he was nuts.  But the estrogen was nice for quality of life.  I had estrogen suppresors before I had hysterectomy and they were rough on me at first (I was 41) but I did them and after awhile they were no big deal felt I was getting off easy compared to chemo!

These days most docs won't give you estrogen, but depends on you and the cancer.  Remember you have a voice in your care.  If I just went along w doctor's POV I would be missing muscles off my back and would be miserable.  So continue to ask questions of us and your doctors.  Know what is important to you in YOUR life and try to make the best decisions possible.  You trust and like your doctors, that is a great position to be in.  Be comfortable with asking them " why?" So you understand your situation.

FYI I have been estrogen depleted for years and look way younger than my age, do NOt hav height blood pressure or high cholesterol  eat healthy and exercise.  Lack of estrogen has just slowed down sex life w husband..... But of course, life, parenting a special needs child etc could be the culprit there as well!  Thank goodness he is understanding!  Just hike the hills here in encinitas today for 2 hours with a friend, no joint pain either! There are choices you can make in your diet to help w lack of estrogen to keep you feeling well.  Another side effect for me is dry eyes!  But there tears are my friend ( eye drops)

I wish the best for you.

I had a suspicious mammogram result in July, but a miscommunication between doctors delayed the biopsy until January. It was DCIS. I got surgery within a month of diagnosis, but the six-month delay before then didn't hurt anything. And I have Grade 3 with comedonecrosis.

Hi, I was DX 10/18/13 and surgery was on 1/27/14.  My BS said that I would not need chemo, rad or meds, since I had to have L mas and I opted for R p mas.  DCIS was in 2 places in L breast.  I had 2 lumps removed from R breast in 2010, and both breasts had nip discharge.  But, I have to see an Onc next week, to cover all bases, per my BS.  I am E/P+.  Please keep us informed and good luck.

August 9 I was told I had DCIS, September 30 I had BMX and on February 27 I am scheduled for exchange surgery.