DCIS

Hi PoppyMegan

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

There is nothing to fear from radiotherapy, it’s easy compared to chemo. The most uncomfortable part of it is having to hold your arms above your head.

Ask your care nurse about the possible side effects of radiotherapy.

Wishing you the best of luck with your radiotherapy.

Best wishes

Daisy53

I went through surgery & radiotherapy in 2015 for DCIS.  The radiotherapy was easy - you just lie there.  I didn't have any nodes removed so no issue holding arms above head.  Just prep your skin for radiotherapy by moisturising now.  It will take on a sun burnt effect during rads.  Also investigate bras.  I bought soft post surgery from Debenhams as I normally wear underwired (G cup) but while they were fine after surgery not so during/after radiotherapy as skin more prone to irritation.

Questions to ask:

• How large is area
• Is it low, intermediate, or high grade DCIS (mine was intermediate on biopsy, high on surgery biopsy
• Will I have a noticeable difference in breast size after surgery.  I was initially offered  reduction in good breast at same time but surgeon said after MDT meeting they decided unnecessary.  I have a slight dent - had 11mm of DCIS removed .
• Will it be day surgery - mine was.  I had a fine wire inserted via mammogram in morning - less painful than biopsy then had to drive to second hospital for surgery.  I went to theatre at 3pm, back on ward 5pm, home 8pm.  They only let you home if they see you eat/drink something!!!
• If you have any other health conditions ask if they will impact surgery i.e. will you have to stay overnight.

Note you will not be able to drive yourself home after having general anaesthetic.   

Spoke to the nurse earlier and she said it was high grade DCIS and they will take 15mm of DCIS removed plus a margin around it. I'm not expecting them to remove any lymph nodes but it will depend on what they find when operating she said.

Like you I normally wear underwired bras as I take a G/H cup depending on make of bra. She recommended sports bras which are front opening so I have ordered one from Amazon to see how it feels. I hate non wired bras generally but this looks quite supportive.

I wasn't offered the choice of reduction in the good breast but if the cancer had needed a mastectomy I would have asked for the healthy one to be removed too and had reconstruction  in a much smaller size. 

It will be day surgery too for me. I haven't had a date yet but hopefully it won't be too late in the day so I can go home without having to stay in overnight. I will be relying on one of my sons or a daughter-n-law being able to drive me there and back as my husband is housebound but doesn't drive anyway. 

Thanks for your reply and congratulations on being 5 year NEDDY! 

Poppymegan

My breast cancer nurse said that apart from appearing sun burnt I shouldn't have any major side effects like losing my hair which I was worried about.

Thanks for your reply

Poppymegan

I'd love to be fly on wall why you try in front fastening sports bra! Impossible with large breasts !  I was crying laughing on M&S changing room as they were zip up and impossible to keep together !  I bought these 

https://www.debenhams.com/product/Debenhams-Comfort-Mastectomy-Bra_DDD01332

ine black one beige !  Wore them to death as so soft inside 

I have tried one on and yes, it is definitely a juggling act to get the sports bra on! It will be going back . 

The bras you suggested look nice but unfortunately they don't have it in my size. They only have an odd selection of sizes both in the black and nude colours.

I will look for post surgery bras elsewhere but failing that  I have ordered a bra from Miss Mary of Sweden as have  a couple for sleeping in. 

Near where I live is good lingerie shop who do post surgery bras so may see what they can suggest too tho it will probably be more expensive there

I agree with Grogg, radiotherapy isn’t hard, I got a bit of scabbing towards the end and just after, like little dots on the area, I was a bit tired, but keep moisturising and stay out of the sun and it should be fine x

I am a G Cup and the M&S post surgery (front fastening) bra fits really well and is comfy enough to sleep in.   The zip up one will be going back! 

I have ordered one to try just now.

and yes the zip up one will be going back from me too! 

DCIS 20mm grade 3 found after routine mamogram, first op results came back with very small clear margins so had another 2 days ago 10 wait for results fingers crossed for a nice clear wide margin, with radiotherapy