Hi im recently diagnosed with dcis . Im having surgery next month and am overwhelmed with it all tbh. Looking through all posts you ladies are so brave going through what you have . Looking forward to getting more info.
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So sorry you find yourself here but rest assured there will be lots of support right through your treatment âjourneyâ. Iâve been through two primaries with all the various treatments and am fit and well 17 and 6 years later. You read about lots of complications, side effects, setbacks etc etc, but always remember that for everyone going through complex times there are thousands who have got through it and out the other end, and are getting on with life.
So, try and gather yourself a support network of friends and family, and donât hesitate to use the services of this wonderful organisation. The nurses helpline is there for any questions you may have and the âsomeone like meâ service can be very supportive. Have faith in the medical process, question if you donât understand, but keep your eye on the end point where life resumes.
Right now you are in what is probably the worst phase of just waiting for things to happen. Try and keep busy and distracted if you can.
Wishing you all the best
Sending love and hugs
Eily 
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Totally understand how overwhelming it can feel, especially in the early days after diagnosis. DCIS may be early-stage, but the decisions and emotions around it are still very real.
The good news is that youâre taking steps toward treatment, and youâre not in this alone, thereâs a ton of support here from people who truly get it. Ask any question, vent if you need to, and take things one day at a time
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Thanks so much for both your replies ladies. Im just getting my head round it all and am aware its nothing compared to what lots of you are going through .
AahâŠâŠ @circleoflife, never think being told you have cancer is ânothingâ. It is terrifying, and sends shockwaves right through your whole outlook on life, and things never feel quite the same again. Itâs not all bad though, I have a whole new appreciation of âthat next birthdayâ approaching 
and heightened pleasure from lifeâs special events.
Just hope and pray that you get an easy uncomplicated passage through it all, and, if you do, never be apologetic for that, or be embarrassed to rage and wail with the rest of us. Oh, and by the way when you do get through with it, look for a BCN Moving Forward course near you because even that phase is not always plain sailing.
Take care
Eilyâ:heart:
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Itâs not nothing! Please try not to think that. A cancer diagnosis is a cancer diagnosis. I remember speaking to my boss when I was diagnosed last year with IDC and I said things like âitâs only smallâ and that Iâd âgot away with it lightlyâ because I didnât have to have chemo. Guess I was trying to minimise what was happening because I was frightened. She said âitâs not a competition to see who has it worse, if it was then itâs one you donât want to winâ and told me I should be kinder to myself. Really struck a chord. x
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Yes you both right. I am getting as much info as possible and look forward to reading loads on here too. Thanks 
We are not particularly brave, its something that chose us, and the only choice you have is to go through treatment. We are like you, no more specially equipped than anyone else ( never been keen on or bought into the brave warrior descriptors) It is what it is, you will get though it, because there is no special power required, it can be done by the average Joe ( or Jo, really).
You are not an imposter on here due to DCIS either, so no minimising of your condition is required. Sometimes DCIS can require more treatment and more surgery than a IDC - thats not to worry you, thats just to say we are all in the same boat, all welcome, all finding support from others going through it helpful.
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Hello there, I had Intermediate Grade DCIS diagnosed back in February⊠The unit I was under werenât great & I left utterly confused as to what it was, how urgent etc etc⊠I had some fantastic support from the Helpline here and from another unit who (echoing comments above) made it clear that it was still a big thing to digest & I shouldnât be apologising for struggling with it⊠word of mouth / peer support has been my best resource with an unconnected chronic illness.i figure the same applies to this. âŠ
I transferred to a different unit & a surgeon who put it in context & gave me the knowledge to make informed choices re my treatment. Ask questions. No question is too silly or too small⊠Virtual hugs - youâre not aloneâŠ
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Hello there
Youâve had a lot of information to digest and are most probably coming to terms with it all - give yourself plenty of time. I think DCIS can be particularly hard as itâs an early stage diagnosis thatâs present but not yet invasive and needs surgery either way⊠I found that bit really hard to grasp at first. I had high grade DCIS picked up at my first ever mammogram. I had no symptoms and was fit and well.
I felt I needed to take some control of the situation so got myself as informed as possible about the condition and my surgery options. Your medical team may present you with choices of surgery too and that can be confusing and overwhelming.
I would suggest researching as much as possible, and listen and trust your team who know you BUT donât be afraid to ask questions and if youâre ever uncomfortable you can most certainly ask for a second opinion.
As far as imposter syndrome goes, yes I felt that initially but I soon realised we are all different. You still have a cancer diagnosis that needs treatment and recovery time both physically and psychologically. Our journey is just a little different.
I wish you all the best as you navigate your way through this. If you ever want to know more, Iâd be more than happy to share my experience further.
I had a successful mastectomy in June 2023 and immediate reconstruction and Iâm so grateful for my mammogram which helped prevent this nasty little DCIS from potentially becoming a bigger problem later on.
Sending lots of good vibes x
Hi thanks so much for your reply. Yes exactly its not cancer but needs surgery stuff like do i tell work ive got cancer or not. Its all so alien to me . I have the savvy clip getting put in next week so may have chat with nurse while im there for more info. Ill definitely ask you more if thats ok . Take care . X
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Can i also ask anyone who knows . Why do sone people find out grade and hormone type after biopsies but others like myself will be told after the op. Confused.comđ
I think they get a much more complete âpictureâ of whatâs going on after surgery which is why so many of us get a revised treatment plan when the post-op histology comes in. Maybe your surgical team just like to wait for the second phase. The nurses might have a clearer answer if you give them a call on the helpline
Eily xx
Thanks for your reply . My consultant didnt kno either if it was hormone driven or not or if i would need radiotherapy. So confused
I would ask your team. I was told the Grade and hormone receptivity of my DCIS at the appointment when I was given my biopsy results.
I will do. Consultant definitely said they wont know about hormone meds or if radiotherapy needed till after the op. Thanks for your reply .
I believe they know more after theyâve got the pathology on the tissue thatâs removed including whether the margins are clear because biopsies obviously just a random sample of tissue from the suspect area & more shows under a microscope than on a mammogram or ultrasound. Those results dictate the course if any, of further treatment.
But i was told what grade my DCIS was itâs hormone receptivity when I got the result of my biopsies. There may be reasons you werenât. Try putting a question via this website or by phone to BCN nurses? They are very knowledgeable & super helpful!
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Thanks for your reply. I have followed your advise and asked the nurses . 
Hello again . So i called one of the breast cancer nurses and she explained its not always possible to get the hormone status and grading as such small biopsies are taken and i will know more after surgery. She did reassure me that it was small and caught really early so feeling bit more positive . Thanks everyone .
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Hi I was diagnosed with DCIS 23rd December and booked in for single mastectomy 21st January. I was in bits before the surgery and seriously thought about not having it but I did go and had reconstruction at the same time. Iâm currently on holiday in Rhodes wearing bikinis and swimming and all is good. Itâs been emotional but I never got down once it was done. Iâm doing a 10km Race for Life 20th July too. I understand completely what youâre going through xxx
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