Just been diagnosed with advanced, high grade DCIS, approx 3.5cm

Hi Ali,

Generally DCIS is treated with lumpectomy, but plenty of women have opted for mastectomy for various reasons. While mastectomy is not an easy surgery, it may give you more peace of mind. The results of having either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy are virtually the same in terms of survival rates. Mastectomy may or may not get you out of having radiation though which can be a plus for some people. Mastectomy of your other breast is done often enough as well.

I opted for lumpectomy for myself and have small breasts as well and I am fine with the cosmetic results even if they don't look too pretty and are a little lopsided. I felt mastectomy was not something I wanted to stage 0 breast cancer and I was willing to have the radiation and take an AI due to my ER+ BC. So, with that being said, you should make your own decisions based on what you can live with. Maybe go on some of the threads about mastectomy to weigh your feelings. Some women deeply regret having them and others are absolutely thrilled that they did. It is a VERY personal decision.

So sorry you find yourself having to make this decision but you will be in my thoughts and best to you whatever you decide to do. Hugs!

Ali, sorry you find yourself here, but it's a great place to get information.  I didn't find this place until after my decisions were made and completed.  I too was/am small chested, and I was told that I needed a mastectomy because tumor was 2.9 cm in a small breast.  No one even mentioned the possibility of removing the other breast.  I was a stage 2, due to size of tumor, but grade 1 as far as aggressiveness of tumor.  I had my lump for years, 28 to be exact, and was always told the lump was a cyst.  It probably was for a long time, but cancer grew in/around it eventually.  I chose not to have recon.  I knew too many people that did and regretted it.  My one friend said the recon was much worse than the mastectomies. I've heard it's much more painful to do recon on small breasted woman, as there's not as much tissue to work with.  I don't have to use any sort of prosthesis, just wear the same padded bras and swimsuits I did before surgery.  I hope this isn't TMI, but I was glad to keep one breast for sensation/intimacy.  Another big reason I didn't choose recon.  Just my choice.  Of course had there been anything remotely suspicious in my good breast, I wouldn't have hesitated having it removed.  Just giving you my situation and thoughts. Everyone chooses their own path and what's best for them, and reading all the differing opinions will hopefully help you in your decisions.  Good luck and I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  Kim

Ali111, we're so glad you have all these sisters providing you with their experiences as being able to decide upon basic options before sitting in with BS is a big thing as knowledge is power and there is a wealth of knowledge on BCO.

Waiting for results is a very stressful time
and you'll get sympathy from others on this forum as they've been through the
waiting too. It is not an easy time at all. Posts are very slow due to
holidays, but someone will respond to you.

If it is DCIS, it is not
invasive and should be able to be removed without problems. Read about people's
experiences with DCIS here DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ).

There are also lots of forums discussing UMx versus MBx and to reconstruct or not. Read lots to help make YOUR best choice in YOUR case as it is a major decision and don't let your surgeon talk you into recon if you really don't want it.

We wish you all the best

The Mods

Hi, it's sometimes a tough decision but it was not for me.  I had an extremely low grade 7 mm tubular cancer in 2011, treated with a lumpectomy, in my right breast.  This January a high grade 3.5 cm DCIS was detected in the left breast.  I could have opted for a lumpectomy with radiation.  No.  I had them both removed and in the final pathology they found another 3.5 cm DCIS in my right breast that was not detected on mammogram, also high grade.  Not sure if an MRI would have shown it.  I opted for immediate reconstruction.  I only wanted one surgery and luckily need no revisions.  I am 65 and really it was not a difficult healing process for me at all.  I had a TRAM.  Everyone is different though and complications can occur with any surgery.  I think if one has a mammogram detected DCIS in one breast, it is a good idea to test both breasts as fully as possible before proceeding with only a lumpectomy or single mastectomy.   Obviously I made the right decision for me but it came more from the gut than the brain, to be honest.  I had simply HAD IT.