DCIS - feelings

Hi Karma Butterfly,  Sorry that you are feeling a little depressed and alone but when you have gone through the breast cancer diagnosis the emotions go up snd down.  I was glad to hear that your surgery went well and that they have recommended no further treatments.  I do have some suggestions for you and have supplied you the link so you can see there is a test you can have done to see if you would benefit from radiation after DCIS surgery.  Here is the link https://precisiononcology.exactsciences.com/patients-and-caregivers/understanding-your-diagnosis/breast-cancer/breast-dcis-score?gclid=CjwKCAiAy_CcBhBeEiwAcoMRHI-MBOgS0087YtiqYx-ECMBeB2q8iUjiunNug17rrlhmouyc4qysEBoCdicQAvD_BwE

Another question I have is the DCIS low, intermediate or high grade? Was it estrogen positive?

Here is another link that has a lot of information so you can go back and get your questions answered.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dcis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371895#:~:text=Hormone%20therapy%20isn't%20a,either%20breast%20in%20the%20future.
I hope that I didn’t overwhelm you but very important to be proactive.  Take care .

Barbara

Hi Barbara, thank you for your reply. I've not been told if the DCIS is low, intermediate or high, or if it was estrogen positive.

I just feel lile everything has gone from full on appointments and tests to nothing, just an annual mammogram. 

Ring your BC nurse to ask her grade.  Click on my name and you will see I had high grade DCIS 7 years ago.  I had surgery & radiation 

Hi Karma Butterfly, sorry to hear you are feeling depressed. I think it’s wonderful news all is clear and no further treatment is required however like Hopeful Barb has mentioned, I would question the diagnosis and the reasons why they aren’t looking at doing any further treatment. I’m not sure I’ve heard of anyone just having an op and then not having even radiotherapy just on the affected area where the dcis was.  However maybe this does happen. Your medical team will have their reasons but I think it would be worth them going through everything with you so you can ask questions and be able to put your mind at rest. 
Wishing you all the best.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Had DCIS low and intermediate grade and ER positive right breast and stage 1 cancer left side also ER positive.  MRI caught the stage 1 as not seen on mammogram or ultrasound.  Was small 3 mm with 6mm DCIS too.  Had lumpectomies both breasts and bilateral radiation and on hormone therapy now.  I wanted to get the test done to see if I needed radiation in the DCIS but my margins were not enough so opted to have radiation and a boost to right breast.  It is not easy to make decisions but my radiation oncologist told me that radiation does decrease local reoccurrence for DCIS but not survival.  Take care snd ask me questions if you want as I have really done a lot of reading as I wanted to be informed.  I am 74 and they treated me pretty aggressively as I don’t have any other health issues and I told them just because my hair is silver I want to get the best treatment to help me not get a reoccurrence or new cancer.  I was diagnosed at 72 almost 73 years old.  
You have time to read and get your questions ready so keep strong and there are so many wonderful women here who I have relied on for support.  Ask away!!

Barbara

Hi Karma Butterfly, I completely understand what you are going through... I found a lump on my left breast in July 22, had mammogram, USG, biopsies, MRI over the following months, then received the DCIS high grade diagnosis. For my case it was recommended a mastectomy with delayed reconstruction. The nodule was big and I had a few areas with microcalcifications. My surgery was in September, I'm still struggling with pains, and aches, body image, self esteem. I was also given the good news this week, that I don't need radio or hormone therapy. I will start physio after the New Year, and I'm planning to return to work. I will be monitored regularly, but I'm feeling a bit like is that it now? So much has happened, and then that's it! It's a feeling of loneliness... It's probably harder this time of the year, but I'm trying to do things I like, going for walks when the weather allows, window shopping, going for a coffee and cake,  watching a nice series. Sending hugs xxx

Hi Karma Butterfly , just popping in with good wishes and a friend’s story. My own case isn’t relevant as my beast was invasive so I did need radiotherapy and hormone therapy. A close friend was diagnosed with DCIS after mammogram recall. She had a wide local excision but no further treatment. Sounds very similar to you. This was 5 years ago or thereabouts and she’s had annual check ups ever since, all fine. She was told that as the op resulted in good margins, and her DCIS was a small area, there was no need for anything further. Just wanted to confirm that there are others where it’s deemed that the op is enough on its own. Hope you have the opportunity to speak to the breast clinic team so that they can explain and reassure you. It’s a huge thing to be diagnosed with any form of cancer and you need to be sure that everything appropriate has been done. Love and hugs, HFxx 

Hi Karma Butterfly,

I’m sorry to hear you are feeling so low at the moment. I think everyone deals with a cancer diagnosis differently and they are all valid. I had a wide local excision for a 20cm DCIS in October and have just finished 5 days of radiotherapy last week. I was told that I would only need radiotherapy if there were high grade cells in my biopsy, which I had. DCIS is a Grade 0 cancer so I believe the chances of it spreading are very low, and if the biopsy has clear margins and there are only low/intermediate cells then what you’ve had is the standard treatment. I am happy to have annual mammograms as I didn’t have a lump, and it was the mammogram which picked it up. 
I have felt mentally okay so far but I do wonder if it will hit home sometime soon…..

I think this forum is invaluable, as there is support and information for literally every question people might have.

I hope the replies you’ve had will help you feel better soon, 

Claire