DCIS

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Suzanne1978
Suzanne1978 Member Posts: 4
edited June 2016 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hello. I just joined after a diagnosis of DCIS on Friday. I am scared to death. I have questions for those of you who have been there. When they did my biopsy, they told me 98% chance it wasn't cancer! I am 36 years old. I will be 37 next month. I was told to have a mammogram between 35 and 40 and a mammogram bus came to my work. Then I had the diagnostic and the biopsy. I have an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow. I am scared and need some inspiration from those of you who have been through it.

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  • IndyRN13
    IndyRN13 Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2015

    Hi Suzanne, I was found to have DCIS last month after a routine annual mammogram. It certainly rocks your world to receive that call that cancer cells may have been found. Waiting for that appointment on Friday is the hardest because of the unknown. In my case, it was DCIS, stage 0 because the cancer cells are inside the ducts and haven't spread. Best case scenario, but still difficult emotionally to deal with. I had a lumpectomy last Thursday and am waiting for the final pathology report. If all the cells were non-invasive, radiation to that breast is the next step, then Tamoxifen (a pill) further reduces chances of cancer returning since the cells were estrogen/progesterone positive. It was really good that you had the mammogram and this was found early! Try to stay positive and use coping skills to help reduce your anxiety. I use music, stay busy, talk to my husband and best friend (sometimes that elevates my anxiety though!), pray, exercise..... wine with dinner helps too! I finally called my PCP for an anti-anxiety medication when all else failed and my coping was getting fatigued. I take 1/2 Xanax when at work and it helped. Hang in there! You are still gathering information that will lead to the best treatment plan for you. Try to take it a step at a time!

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  • Stinkerbelle
    Stinkerbelle Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2015

    Hi Suzanne- I had my annual mammogram last December. I was called back to the imaging center for a diagnostic mammo once micro calcifications were found during the first screening. I was called back to speak with the radiologist after the diagnostic. I too was told that what they had found would only have a small chance (20%) of being cancer. I went back for a biopsy where it was found that I did indeed have a malignancy. I too am on the young side. Diagnosed a week before my 44th birthday. I had a lumpectomy on 2/27/15 and had 2 lymph nodes removed as a precaution. No cancer in them. Thank God. I am currently in my 3rd week of radiation treatments. I will have a total of 33 sessions. 28 regular sessions and 5 "boosts". The boosts are specifically concentrated on the area where the cancer was found. Radiation has been very tolerable so far. Everyone I've dealt with/am dealing with during all of this have been very caring and supportive. From the receptionists at the front desks to the radiation techs to the doctors. This has been one hell of a roller coaster ride for me. Just stay as positive as you can. That's what's going to help you get through this. Lean on your family and friends for support. Pray. Pray a lot if you do. I never in a million years thought I'd ever hear the words...you have cancer. I'm grateful this was caught early before any invasion. If you have to cry, If you have to scream, do it. Go get mani/pedis. Continue to do what makes you happy and feel normal. I know normalcy is on hold going through this but know that you can and you will get to the other side.

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  • SweetThing
    SweetThing Member Posts: 18
    edited April 2015

    Hi Suzanne! I was diagnosed with DCIS during at routine mammogram at the age of 48, no family history. I can truly say I didn't see it coming. I had a lumpectomy in January 2014 followed by 33 radiation treatments and am currently on Tamoxifen for 5 years since my tumors were ER+.

    I have a wonderful team of doctors who are very compasionate and take the time to answer all my questions. I show up at my first appointments with a notebook, didn't want to forget any information. I've used humor to get me through this; I joke around with the medical staff I find the whole process absurd and no longer modest about my body. I figure dozens of people have seen my breasts at this point; they have been handled, doodled on with Sharpie markers and examined from every angle.

    I also read everything I could. I like to be well informed and there are books written by BC surviors that are funny and inspiring, and this board is a great source of advice and support.


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  • Jeeper4
    Jeeper4 Member Posts: 70
    edited April 2015

    I'm older at 51 but no matter...I was terrified too...I finally did ask my PCP for anti-anxiety. I was dx during Christmas holidays and in the beginning I took that Ativan everyday-now, not so much. I wonder if any of us will ever be worry free again, without it being somewhere in the back of our minds. You will probably feel better after meeting with your Oncologist and starting your next treatment phase. I watched as many funny movies as I could in the beginning, even though I didn't really feel like watching when asked, but they took my mind off this nasty cancer business. I also did a lot of reading on this website to educate myself. I felt like I could ask anything and get an honest answer-I didn't care if it was good, bad, or ugly-just the truth of what to expect of my future treatments. Sorry you are here, but stay and ask and vent when you need to. Everyone gets it.

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  • middleagedmama
    middleagedmama Member Posts: 46
    edited April 2015


    Hello suzanne1978,

    I just turned 46 and like you I was told only 20% of microcacifications turn out to be cancer.  I was not prepared for a cancer diagnosis.  I did lots of research on this website.  This has helped me in a big way.  I have chose a different path than the other woman did.  I have no family history of breast cancer but cancer of other kinds on all sides.  My DCIS is high grade. For me I decided that I didn't want to go through this again so I chose to do a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction.  Just take one day at a time and educate your self. With DCIS you don't have to make a decision right away so you have time to soak it all in and explore your options.  We are all hear for you!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2015

    Suzanne-

    We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We't so sorry for the circumstances that bring you here, but we're very glad you've found us, and hope you find the support and advice you're looking for!

    We know how scary these first days and weeks can be. There's a lot to process. both in terms of your cancer and the decisions you'll face as you meet with doctors and develop a treatment plan. Remember to take it one day at a time, and focus on one thing at a time. If you feel overwhelmed or like you're having a hard time adjusting to your new normal, we suggest talking to your doctor about medication to help manage your anxiety. Many of our members have been helped tremendously by meds.

    We've compiled a list of links that our newly diagnosed members have found very helpful and informative, you can find them here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/5/topic/8....

    Please let us know if we can be of any assistance, you're in our thoughts!

    The Mods

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  • Suzanne1978
    Suzanne1978 Member Posts: 4
    edited May 2015

    Thank you for your response! It is nice to know I am not going through this alone

    Happy

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  • Suzanne1978
    Suzanne1978 Member Posts: 4
    edited May 2015

    Middleagedmama, How are you doing with your reconstruction? Do you like it? Did they do a good job? Are you in any pain?

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  • AnnaAnna33
    AnnaAnna33 Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2015


    Hi all, my name is Anna and around Easter time I found a tiny little lump in my right breast. Yesterday I went to the Royal Marsden Hospital where they had analysed my biopsy and it turns out I have an early stage breast cancer, or DCIS, as they called it. I am a little confused as to whether this is actually cancer or just pre-cancerous cells. I know that as such it does not really matter, and needs to be treated. I am worried about the mastectomy, about the pain, and about being able to manage financially. I am also very keen to hear how others are doing, how they have progressed from diagnoses and how they are now.. and yes, I am very scared, just like you Suzanne1978, just not really knowing what to do and what to expect.  Love and peace. Anna x

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited May 2015

    HI AnnaAnna,

    DCIS is a malignancy that has not left the duct therefore it is a non-invasive breast cancer which is considered Stage 0. It has the distinction of being the only BC that can be cured rather than just put in remission. You will not die from DCIS as it cannot metastasize to other organs as it has one more step to go to become invasive. It is the earliest you can catch cancer but it is most definitely malignant and must be treated. I had a lumpectomy, radiation and am taking a hormone suppressor drug called Exemestane because my BC is >95% Estrogen fed.

    Wishing you the best with your treatment options. You will feel better after that starts happening. I promise.

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  • sixtysweeper63
    sixtysweeper63 Member Posts: 22
    edited May 2015

    Hi Suzanne and everyone else...I was diagnosed 11/11/14 at age 50 with DCIS. Decided for me that a BMX was what I needed to be completely  free from the cancer...you need to decide for yourself what is best for you and go with it. DCIS was only found in my left side, but did not want to have to worry about the rt. side and to be honest wanted them to match better with reconstruction! Reconstruction has been a bumpy road as my lft  TE has to be removed for the second time next wed. due to a second pseudomonas infection...very frustrating but could be much worse, as I have not needed any chemo or radiation. Make sure you are comfortable with your PS... I love mine and it's a good thing because I have been seeing a lot of him lately...good luck on your journey and hope everything goes smoothly!

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  • 4Eversugar
    4Eversugar Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2015

    Hello,

    I was informed in January that I had DCPS which turned out to be a grade 2 with positive receptors. Had my first lumpectomy in Feb. which came b as ck with positive margins. Had second lumpectomy in March, it too returned with positive margins. I chose to have a simple mastectomy at that point with a breast reduction on my remaining breast. Although I get a little depressed sometimes, I feel for me I made the right decision, no chemo or rad necessary. The important thing is that your margins come back clear. May God bless you as you travel this road.


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  • SadSusan123
    SadSusan123 Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2016

    Hi there, My name is Susan and I I had my right breast removed in Dec. with a TE placed during that surgery! Things went great. I was about two expansions away from my final implant surgery when it got infected... In hospital, IV antibiotics and TE removed. I am so sad. I think this was harder to handle than my Mastectomy itself! My skin was stretched to almost perfect and now after the TE was remove do, it looks so deformed. Will I ever be able to come back from this?

    I love my Dr. She is wonderful!!!!! She seems to think things will be okey, but I'm worried! We are taking the summer off and replacing the TE around Sept or so! Because I've had 3 surgeries in 4 months. Please someone answer

    Susa

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  • I_Spy
    I_Spy Member Posts: 507
    edited June 2016

    hi Susan I'm so sorry you're going through this. you accidentally posted on an old thread. There is a forum called "TE Trouble" you can find that here:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...


    There will be people there who are going through exactly what you're going through, and can help you through it!! Best wishes to you!

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