Need reassurance :(

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Hopeful44
Hopeful44 Member Posts: 5
edited May 2017 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hello everyone,

My mother had her mastectomy three days ago .. i have been feeling terrible the last few days since i knew that her DCIS was 6 cm/grade 2.. it has driven me crazy and i dont know what to do .. i really want to see my mom growing old but her diagnosis is scaring me.. i am wondering if she will have a long and healthy life .. do not have specific questions (still waiting for the pathology report) but would be thankful to hear some words of encouragement from people here :(


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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2017

    Annette's advice on your other thread is correct

    Pure DCIS is not life threatening ... it is incapable of spreading beyond the breast. The survival rate is about 99%.

    It needs to be dealt with because it has the potential to turn into something more serious (invasive cancer) but in and of itself DCIS is not particularly serious.

    Her chances of recurrence depend on many factors, and her doctors should give you a more specific answer for her particular case but generally it is usually <3% after a mastectomy.

    I know it's scary (my mother was actually diagnosed with Stage 1 cancer about 6 weeks before I was), but the odds are very much in your mother's favor.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited May 2017

    Yes, Annette is spot on. Your Mom is very likely to grow old and be there for years to come. ((Hugs))

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  • Hopeful44
    Hopeful44 Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2017

    Thank you for your reply..

    I actually have read so many threads here and other websites that said pure dcis is not life threatening but i also found so many people here who were diagnosed with stage 3 and 4 bc after having dcis .. i fear that my mom would fall into this category.. would chemotherapy and radiation reduce her chances of a recurrence?


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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited May 2017

    Hopeful - it's best to stick with one thread instead of creating new ones. That way those of us who might answer will know the back story.

    The best person to ask is your mother's doctor. I was told no further treatment after double mastectomy, but every diagnosis is just a little different.

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  • Hopeful44
    Hopeful44 Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2017

    MinusTwo .. you're right. I think i should delete my first thread and stick to this one .. thank you..

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited May 2017

    Hopeful, I know that hearing the words breast cancer can be scary. And yes, there are a very few women who are diagnosed with DCIS and who go on to later have mets without ever having another primary diagnosis. But that is extremely rare. So rare, that how it happens is actually a current field of study. I know the tendency is to pay attention to what we fear, which makes it seem bigger than what is really there. Also, if you just read these boards, you might get a skewed idea of how many women with DCIS go on to have "stage 3 and 4", as many of the ones who don't aren't here any more. I had DCIS and am currently 14 years NED (no evidence of disease), so I do hope that helps.

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  • Hopeful44
    Hopeful44 Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2017

    Mtwoman, that's great ! I have found many people here who have been cancer free for 10 years and more and this should give me a reason to stop worrying and think in a positive way, but it seems so difficult right now.. thank you for your reply .. <3

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