I have been told i have DCIS and am due to be operated on on 22nd jan. I have opted to have the area removed but am now worried and wonderjng if i should have opted for a mastectomy. Can anyone advise.
Hello Kabry63
Welcome to the forums, you’ve come to the right place for support as the users of this site have a wealth of experience and knowledge between them.
If you would like to talk to someone in confidence you may like to phone our helpline where you can talk to a member of staff who are there to support you. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
We also have a service whereby you can talk to a volunteer by phone or email who has been through a similar situation as yourself, this is called ‘Someone Like Me’ , here is a link to the sevice if you would like more details. breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-services/someone-talk/one-one-support.
Best wishes
June, moderator
Hi Kabry 63
A lot depends on the size of the area affected by dcis. Your decision to have the area removed was what you felt was the right decision when you made it. If you are now unsure phone the Breast Care Nurses and have a chat with them. Dont panic it really is a hard decision to make in a limited amount of time. Good luck in whatever you decide and I am here if you need to talk.
Best wishes Dee
Hi Dee. Thank you so much. I am going to call the breast nurse today and have a chat. I keep swinging left to right as to which way i should go. I have 2 areas that need removing therefore i have been told the area would be the size of a large golf ball plus a margin. I suppose my biggest fear is if they dont get it all or if it comes back. Theres relief they found it in time but despair about the outcome.
Regards
Karen
Hi Dee
Thank you for your support.
I spoke with the breast nurse and felt a little more reassured that i have chosen the right treatment to begin with. She went through everything again with me and asked if i needed to spk to my consultant. I declined as i think i will be in turmoil again.
Im going to go ahead with the lumpectomy - at the moment! - and just take each day as it comes.
No doubt i will shed more tears and have more fears as the day of surgery gets closer but i know i can come back onto here if i do.
Thank you once again for your kind words.
Take care of yourself
Hugs karen x
Hi Kabry63,
I had one lump of invasive DC and one small patch of DCIS in the skin part of the margins. Had lumpectomy and in case it reassures you or helps at all I have to say that the scar line (around the nipple) is incredibly neat (if you didn’t know where to look you could miss it) and even the shape is pretty good just evidently smaller than the other side. My lump was round and went quite a way in so sounds not unlike yours. I was advised to eat loads of protein post op, think it helped healing.
I think there have been a load of studies comparing outcomes for lumpectomy (with radiotherapy) and mastectomy and from recollection lumpectomy faired better than you may think…I can’t remember if it was in the Lancet or not (if you feel like googling the Lancet provides reliable medical info).
Agree with Dee-Jay, it’s a lot to take in, you must have made your initial decision for good reason and while it’s good to question it’s also good to trust yourself and the advice.
Additionally, while different sizes it’s good not to have to wear a prosthesis all the time, if you choose tops carefully etc.
Be kind to yourself.
Seabreeze
Hi Seabreeze.
Thank you so much. Its good to see the comments from people who have opted or have had the same treatment as i will have. I have been reassured by the comments made by yourself and Dee.
I think i have convinced myself that i am making the right decision for all the right reasons. I am still concerned about the prospect of needing further surgery should the margin not be clear but i also realise that i may be worrying unnecessarily.
Thank you for replying.
I wish you well
Karen
Hello Kabry
Sorry to be so late replying.
I see you are due surgery today and wanted to wish you good luck 
I had a similar dilemma and really didn’t want to lose my breast for a non invasive cancer. I did end up with three surgeries due to dcis being in the margins, but I am glad I stuck with my choice and didn’t go with what the surgeon wanted. The dcis has been fully removed and my breast is in pretty good shape, just slightly smaller and of course with a scar, that is fading nicely.
As my bcn said once you have a mastectomy there is no going back, so if you are unsure it is best to go with the least surgery possible.
Best wishes for a quick recovery.
Hope surgery went well and they got clear margins. I had no choice as my DCIS was too large for lumpectomy. For anyone facing this dilemma in the future I would always advise try the lumpectomy route firstly as a mastectomy is such a drastic step especially for a non invasive cancer. Also be guided by the professionals they normally do know best. X
Morning everyone.
Had my surgery yesterday. Had a lumpectomy which appears to have gone well in respect of appearance.
I will get the results of the margin biopsy in 2weeks to see if all the DCIS has gone.
Thank you everyone for the support.
My best wishes to you all.
Will speak to you all soon.
Big Hugs
Karen x
Hi everyone I am new to this sort of site/forum. I was only recalled for 2nd mamogram last week and am still in shock at what I was told— I had some calcifications that had changed since last mamogram? No one told me anything at that time. I remember the specialist telling me that I would need a biopsy the only way to see what type of calcifications they are. It is all a haze really. I was due to have the biopsy there and then but due to blood thinning medication I had to have blood test for INR? They rang me before 9am next day to go in for biopsy. I cant say the procedure was pleasant just uncomfortable but it has to be done. They did it with Xray/Computer and put a spacer in? They showed me about 5 samples in the bottle before it went off for examination. I think the young lady who did the biopsy said it is DCIS (insitu I remember hearing)
Do I sound really thick for not listening I have never been so sick in my life I never thought this would happen to me as I have just gone through knee replacement in last 12 months and heart bypass surgery 4 years and am still not good, had to have ballon stenting 9 weeks ago, I feel such a mess as if I am crumbling all at once and not here for long!
I get my results on Wednesday 10th June (my sons birthday) I got my bad news on Monday 1st June our Wedding Anniversary after a good weekend away for my husbands 70th Birthday. I cant get it out of my head I feel so deflated if thats the right word. What might I hear from the Specialist on Wednesday??
Just want to say having tried to find my way round this site and reading all the messages I wish you all the best whatever everyone is going through its true yu never really understand enless it has happened to you! now I know how you all must have initally felt.
Hi Amberstone
I am new to this too, I fully understand what you are going through and the thoughts going round in your head which won’t leave you alone.
Try to make a list of things that you want to ask your specialist before your appointment on Wednesday, I have found that the team at my clinic are always happy to answer as many questions as I have – no matter how random. Ask somebody to go with you for support, and ask them if they can take notes for you.
If you are allocated a breast care nurse she will be a big source of help and support for you - mine went through all of my results with me and filled in the gaps from the previous appointment when I had been numb with shock.
I hope you get some good news on Wednesday - the specialist will give you the results from your biopsy and tell you the treatment options that are available to you. If I can help in any way let me know, I am a few weeks ahead of you in this so I might be able to pass on advice or information. I have been given a surgery date of 30th June – which is my 14th wedding anniversary!
Big hugs to you and everyone here – this forum is brilliant and you ladies are so strong and supportive, I hope I can help others in some way too xx