DCIS

Hi  and a warm welcome to the forum. Sorry you are facing such a delay in your treatment, it’s all worrying enough without Covid causing cancellations. I didn’t have DCIS, mine was already invasive, but many folk here have had it and I’m sure will pop in with advice. There are also many here who’ve had delays to treatment. You are in the system now I’d think there’s no reason why you shouldn’t phone the clinic for reassurance or further explanations. I’d take some comfort from the fact that your beast is ‘in situ’ so not in the surrounding breast tissue. And even invasive cancers are generally slow growing (although of course they’re all different). 

What operation were you going to have? And did they give your DCIS a grade? Info like that will help others who’ve had similar give you information about their experiences. 

The other suggestions would be to post a question in the Ask a Nurse section, and don’t forget also that you can phone the helpline here to speak to someone. This is a very scary time for all sorts of reasons and made worse by the lack of face to face consultations in so many situations. Sending you love and a big virtual hug, HFxx

Hi StephT. I am in similar situation, had biopsy Christmas week and now diagnosed high grade DCIS. . The hospital couldn’t commit to a date but indicated that they hoped by mid February to do mastectonomy. I opted for full surgery. Doubl e mascectomy as I have Braca1 and sisters already been through it. I’ve so much research done and feel comfort in the fact caught early. COVID has changed everything but each day brings new updates with hospital appts. I wouldn’t feel comfortable though waiting longer than 4/6 weeks. I would also  welcome advice on how long to wait is safe. I’m still considering on whether to have implants or not. So any advice too on that. Thank you.

Hello . I was diagnosed with 11mm DCIS 3rd June 2015 following a recall from my first routine screening.  I had surgery July 13th.  Delay due to clash of doctors holidays as I needed guide wire inserted under local by doctor in one hospital & then surgery under general in another.  Surgery biopsy was good with clear margins and no invasive cells.  Surgery was day surgery and home  eating by 8.30pm.  I had my 5 year mammogram end of 2020.  

I then had 15 sessions of radiotherapy. 

Hello Steph,

Don't know if it helps reassure you in any way, but my breast cancer was first identified in April 2015 through a routine mammogram. Unfortunately, endless biopsies failed to confirm the exact type of breast cancer. I was fed-up with being punctured with needles and biopsy guns, so asked for a break. I was called back for a further mammogram 8 months later and  was diagnosed in January 2016. I then went 6 months before I had a mastectomy. Firstly, an early round of wire guided biopsies did not clear all the DCIS and then it was decided that I should have radiotherapy on one breast before having a mastectomy on the other. I also asked for time to recover after the radiotherapy as well as to research the different reconstruction options before making my decision. I also wanted to consider being part of a study group where the DCIS was 'left alone' to see how quickly it develops into an invasive form. As it happened, I had too much DCIS for my consultant to feel comfortable about that option, so the mastectomy happened as planned some 15 months after the DCIS was originally identified. I guess I just want to reassure you that it is possible to have DCIS for some months before treatment. Indeed, most of us probably have this anyone - the DCIS may have been there for some time before it is identified depending on when your last mammogram was. Also. whilst covid is so rampant the risk of infection to you is not something you want so a delay of a few weeks may help reduce your risk of catching the virus.

I'm sorry though that you have had the delay - I really do understand how worrying that must be. But try to stay confident that all will be well in a few weeks time. 

Good luck.

Thank you x

Thank you x

The surgeon has said I could be waiting 2 to 6 months. Sending hugs. X

Thank you x

Thank you for your kind words. I haven’t a clue what grade it is. I was alone & in such shock I don’t remember a word he said to be honest. All I remember were the words Breast cancer. Then after being home for about an hour I received a call to say my operation would be on the 5th of January 2021. This was cancelled on New Year’s Eve. I cry a lot!! X

Hugs ️. Ring your breast care nurse.  Hopefully she can provide you with more info and estimate of dates.  I've called in mine a few times over last 5 years and she's never let me down x