Hello everyone. I am 5 days post surgery. Feeling okay but getting twitchy about results. No date yet for appointment. All along I’ve been positive and optimistic - on recall, core biopsy and vacuum assisted biopsy I was convinced all would be fine and dealt with it by being busy and not really thinking about it. Diagnosis so far is “at least intermediate grade” DCIS whatever that means. Now at home, feeling a bit guilty because that’s not an awful diagnosis comparatively, but freaking a bit over what they might have found during surgery. Surgeon did take a bit more out than intended as he felt something which showed as a shadow on the X-ray taken while I was on the table, but he thinks it was scarring/ haematoma from the last biopsy. Hope that’s all. Has anyone has WLE for DCIS without needing radiotherapy?
Hi Maria_B
Welcome to the BCC forums. I’m sorry to read you’re having a tough time. If you need additional support whilst you are waiting for your appointment do give the helpline a call on 0808 800 6000. Here you can talk through your thoughts and concerns with a member of staff who will offer you a listening ear as well as emotional support and practical information. Lines are open weekdays 9 to 5pm and Saturday 10 to 2pm.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Hi Maria
Glad your feeling ok hun after surgery but I know exactly what you mean about feeling twitchy. Try not to worry as things could be a lot less awful that you are imagining, I also know that’s easier said than done! I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS 15mm and ended up having 2 WLE back in July last year, I also had 15 sessions of radiotherapy but decided not to take tamoxifen. DCIS has 3 grades, low, intermediate and high so your not high which is great. Your right about DCIS is certainly isn’t the worst thing by far which I am eternally grateful for, but the worry, the anxiety and the surgery are all comparibable with having an invasion cancer so you have no need to feel any guilt at all. The other feeling you might come across is that its not ‘real’ cancer as its non invasive but like I say but with the worry and anxiety I’m sure it feels the same as if it was invasive. I think most people do have radiotherapy after surgery as a belt and braces kind of approach but really don’t worry about that because it really is nothing to fear, 5 minutes lay on a table, no pain at all, the worst part is possible skin irration after. Hope that helps you a bit, keep in touch I know its a lonely place to be in even with family support.
Hi Maria,
I have DCIS too and am just going in for next biopsy next week. They told me that there was 1 woman who didn’t get radiotherapy as the area they had to remove was so small, so not everyone gets it. However they said that she was an exception and most people get radiotherapy with DCIS. Everyone I’ve spoken to that’s had radiotherapy said it’s really fine and doesn’t tend to cause problems.
I know what you mean about feeling guilty when you see what lots of other ladies have to go through but I think we need to be kind to ourselves. If it was a friend feeling guilty about that we’d tell them not to be daft 
Hope your results are good, it is a scary time but I’m thinking about you. xx
Hi Everyone, new to forum. Old hat at Ca. I had DCIS in 2012 but no radiotherapy although mine was a large area and I had mastectomy. I kept shrugging off the sympathy Feeling I didn’t really have Ca. But I do now (don’t go thinking this going to happen to you). Not much difference between to two, maybe less hair this time round due to chemo. But the worry and fear don’t differ (although these are usually wasted emotions, I’ve found). Will be having radio shortly, so another first. How do you all feel about radio? Some say it’s no problem, others say it causes a bit of sickness?
Thank you for your kind words. Results tomorrow afternoon. I will update x
Just testing…Is this working?