I waiting on breast conserving surgery. Friends & family seem to think that I am lucky as it is pre-cancerous and can be treated. I don’t feel lucky. I just go along with it to make them feel ok. I just want to run away. I know that there can still be invasive cancer and will have to wait to find out. Can you be cured? Thanks
I don’t think it is lucky being diagnosed with any kind of cancer personally, but they are trying to be upbeat.
If you are going to get any kind of breast cancer, DCIS is the mostly likely to be cured as it is technically not cancer as it has not spread outside the ducts into other tissues, therefore it should not have the capacity to develop further once it is removed.
So you have a very good chance of being cured after you have surgery. But I didn’t want to have surgery despite having DCIS and a 1.5 cm tumour as well and I still feel it would be a lot better if they found alternative ways of treating cancer to having bits cut off.
Mole
Mole,
I think yesterday I was feeling low and sorry for myself. I don’t know what I do without them.How long have you had DCIS?
Kate
Mole,
DCIS is cancerous cells that are contained in the milk ducts. Nobody knows how long they take to develop or whether they will ever break out of the ducts and become invasive cancer. They are often referred to as non-invasive cancer or pre-cancerous cells but to refer to them as not being cancer is incorrect.
The cells are definitely cancerous. It even refers to the cancerosu cells in the leaflet published by this website and my Oncologist accepts that it is cancer and agrees it is often a precursor to invasive cancer so I don’t think it is beneficial to anyone for you to say it isn’t.
Yes, it is better to have than invasive cancer but Dr Susan Love’s breast book states that the cancer cells are exactly the same as those in invasive cancer except that something (which they do not understand) is holding the cells in the ducts. If they do break through and you have, say, high grade, then this will become a high grade invasive cancer so it does need to be treated with the respect it deserves and shouldn’t be played down.
I know some people think it is overtreated but then the people who talk about that on here aren’t qualified to make such statements. It might be a nice idea to be able to be treated without having bits removed but that’s just the way things are at the moment and many people are pleased that can happen so they can get rid of it.
Posted on behalf of Kim
Kind regards
Lucy
It doesn’t matter if people tell you that this is the best cancer to have as it is cured easily - it’s not them going through it.
I want to run and keep running - maybe we can run together !
It is the last thing on my mind before I go to sleep and the first thing when I wake up so I think I know how you are feeling.
My top tip would be take time to recover from the operations and give yourself time to come to terms with what is happening - it’s not a crime to be upset.
You are the most important thing at this time so please look after yourself.
x
Lucy,
Have you been diagnosed long? I think having this forum has been a great help. Like you I think about it all the time and wish it was all over. I still haven’t run away but there still time.
Kate
Posted on behalf of new user Kim
I was diagnosed on Christmas eve.
Lumpectomy in Jan and Sentinel Node Biopsy in Feb.
My biopsy has been lost so I don’t know if my cancer has spread.
Head banging and emotions all over the place.
I see the oncologinst on Tuesday to see what is in store for me.
As far as I can tell, no-one has ever had their sample lost.
Running wont help I know - I just feel very alone.
xx
Hi Kim
Please give our helpliners a call, the line is open until 2pm today and weekdays 9-5, they can offer you support and a ‘listening ear’ and are there to help you through this difficult time.
The number is 0808 800 6000.
Take care
Lucy
I was diagnosed with a 1.5 cm invasive tumour with focal DCIS around it in Dec 2003. I had a segmental mastectomy i.e. part of the breast around the lump removed. I then had radiotherapy and was advised to take tamoxifen for 5 years. I took it for 2.5 years.
I have survived so far
Mole
I am going into hospital on 10/3. and just want to get this part over with, I now know that this will be the easy bit, and the waiting for resulrs will be the worst.
I was thinking about going away for a week,but not sure if you have to have dressings changed every day after the op? Comments welcome.
Thank you
Kate
Kate,
When I had my WLE I just had an appointment with the Breast Care Nurse a week afterwards for a ‘wound check’. I was told that these days they try not to change dressings for any operations unless strictly necessary in order to try and reduce infection rates.
The dressing they used was waterproof so I was able to shower with it on.
So, unless directed otherwise it sounds like you’ll be able to go off and have your holiday. In fact, it will probably be a great idea to do something like that as it will give you something else to concentrate on rather than thinking about your results.
Have a great time!
I think I will go away for a week.Do they check for other cancers?The waiting seems to be the worst part.
Kate
Kate I feel like running away even now. I have been back for results on 24th Feb and the specialist says i don’t need any further treatment. I had my operation 30th January to remove cells and lymph nodes. I hope you will be okay and you should rest. I don’t know what it is you are having done let me know how you are take care Lindalou
Lindalou, Had op on Wednesday(removed cells with DCIS) I was not alone as there was 7 of us booked in for various breast cancer op’s. We had to wait 6 hours for a bed on the Tuesday. Results Tuesday 24th March. I am taking it easy and trying not to think about the results. Thats great you don’t need further treatment.
Kate