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Hello,

I was recently diagnosed with DCIS and am awaiting surgery, this is my first time in the chat room, and I am very unsure of how to use this. Can any of you give me some help?

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HI colemp03

Its easy - you just do as you are come inpost a comment a thought a feeling a scream whatever - answer join in others threads - someone will pick up on it and join you. Its agreat place to voice what your feeling cos out here someone has been through it.

I’ve had my surgery three weeks ago - and am feeling quite positive - the sunshine helps i think.

Good luck with the surgery - is it day?

Leesha

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Hi there

Like Leesha says these forums are a brilliant source of support and information, especially about the day to day issues that the doctors don’t tell you. Its only usually when you have been through a similar situation that you can relate to how it affects you. As you can see, there are different categories depending on what you want to discuss. If you fancy a bit of lighthearted fun, Chit chat and fun is good as it doesnt really talk about the clinical side.
I had DCIS too and had a wide local excision which is another term for a lumpectomy. I had radiotherapy too. What do you know about your DCIS?

Cathy

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Hi colemp03

I have posted for you below the link to BCC’s factsheet about DCIS, I hope it is of some help for you. If you feel you need more information or wish to talk to someone about your diagnosis then please feel free to phone our helpline where the staff here will be only too willing to talk to you. The calls are free, 0808 800 6000. Open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 2pm.

Here’s the link to the fact sheet:

breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/ductal_carcinoma_in_situ_dcis__mar_08_0.pdf

Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator

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Hi colemp03 im in asimilar situation to you although my diagnosis was a few months ago and now waiting for a date for op.Have you bn told what sort of surgery to expect.iremember being in a bit of a daze initially but over time and the more i talk about it the easier it isto deal with? Hope you get some answers soon and talk to your breast care nurse if you have one.keep positive everyone!!!
doreen

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Hi, I had DCIS and surgery 3 years ago, feeling fine. welcome to this site, you’ll get a lot of support as there are always times we feel down/fed up/grumpy/in need of a scream or cry, and here we all understand.
good Luck,
Silversue

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Hi Girls
I had DCIS 143mm high grade had mx 10 April 08 then had infection, re hospitalised for a week but all ok now just got prosthesis and am coping fine with it got to go back in October to talk to surgeon about re inserting expander not had any tamoxifen or chemo surgeon said all clear now peeps on here got me thru the rough times i have vented a couple of times and felt better.

Good Luck Colemp03

Take Care all

Jo xxx

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I’m in the same boat as you, got DCIS low grade and scheduled for a WLE but allsorts of questions going through mind, Is a wle going to be enough? will it come back? What is the rate for other areas of DCIS? Will I be back in the same position in 5 years? Should I have a massectomy and get it over with? Would this cure it anyway? I’m going back to see consultant on thurs but I would be please to hear from anyone with comments - please!

Lib

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Hi Lib

I had DCIS with intermediate grade and had a WLE and radiotherapy. One of the best websites I found to explain DCIS in more detail was the cancer research website - the link to the DCIS is cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=3300. This explains the different treatments. Basically, if you have a mastectomy, the chances of DCIS recurring is highly unlikely. If you have a WLE and if necessary, radiotherapy, there is a small chance of the DCIS returning. If it returns, you would then probably need further surgery or a mastectomy. However, there is no significant different in long term survival rates between either type of treatment. This is because DCIS does not spread if removed and therefore unlikely to kill. So if you have regular screens they will detect DCIS before it turns into invasive cancer. So, because my patch of DCIS was small, I decided to have WLE and was offered the choice of radiotherapy as I was intermediate grade. (Low grade often doesnt need radiotherapy). If the DCIS returns, I will then either have another WLE depending on where it is or a mastectomy. So going for a mastectomy first time means that you wont need further surgery if it comes back, but even if it does come back, you are highly unlikely to die from it, Confusing?!

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Hi cathy59

Thanks for your comments, you have really helped. Going to visit the site you suggested and will let you know how I get on. Was not quite my self yesterday but feeling much more positive today, funny how some days have the world on my shoulders and others not.