I had breast cancer in 2000 and had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I also took Tomixifan for 5 years. I have been for the results of a biopsy today and told I have DCIS pre cancerous cells and that due to my previous treatment that I should have a Masectomy, I was very shocked as the DCIS is low and only affects a small area of the breast about 1 inch near my old scar. Is this the only treatment as it seems very drastic for something pre cancerous. Can I opt for any other treatment? I was only in the hospital for 7 minutes and the whole experience was very inpersonal, the doctor was not even aware of my history until I told him and this is when he suggested the Masectomy!
Thank you
You don’t have to have any surgery you don’t wish but this is the recommended treatment for a recurrence in a previously treated breast… They cannot give radiotherapy twice to the same place usually and without rads there is a higher chance of recurrence following lumpectomy… But some people do insist on lumpectomy and not mastectomy.
Why no speak to your onc about recurrence rates as I know they are now doing research on watch full waiting of low grade dcis… The problem is that within an area of dcis there could be a small focus of invasive cancer lurking in there.
Lulu x
Hi Pearl
I had breast cancer in 1999 aged 38. I had a lumpectomy, WLE, rads and Tamoxifen for 5 years. I was recalled following a routine mammogram in early December 2011 and was told at the recall that I would have to have a mastectomy, biopsies were taken and the following week I was told I had high grade DCIS.
I think if I hadn’t had breast cancer before I could have had a lumpectomy and rads but as Lulu says you can’t have that in the same place twice. Maybe it will be different for you as yours is low grade - could they just do a lumpectomy? I don’t know. When do you go back to the hospital?
Take care
Lemoncake
Thank you for your responses that has helped me understand a little more. I am going to my local hospital this Tuesday to speak to the specialist. I will discuss this wit her and keep you posted.
Thank You x
Hi Pearl
How did you get on today?
Lemoncake
x