DCIS
my story started approx 1 year ago whereby after having a bilateral breast reduction at the age of 39 at the end of August 2009, I was dignosed with DCIS in my right breast. to say I was shocked was an understatement, my mind was in turmole. I didnt even know what DCIS stood for or what it was let alone how it was related to Breast Cancer. Here I was, 4 days after having an operation that I had waited 20 years for and facing the possibility that I may require more surgery or other treatment. I have a small frame, and had size 10F breasts which had been giving me back & shoulder pain for years
my pathlogy test results of the tissue removed in the reduction showed that there was a clear margin around the DCIS affected tissue, but due to the fact that I had not had a mammogram prior to the surgery there was no way of knowing if any had been missed and I was referred to breast specialist immediately,
The decision was made to wait until the scarring from the surgery had healed and for me to have a MRI in November to check for any other possible signs of breast cancer. It was nerve racking to have to wait this long, then just before I was to have the MRI it had to be postponed as a breast MRI is affected by hormones and needs to be in the 1st week of a period. This was further complicated by the fact that I wasnt getting my periods that regular due to having had a Mirena fitted 2 years earlier. it wasnt until Feb 2010 had I finally had the test even though I still hadnt had a period. My last period had been Oct 2009, but I was away on holiday and unable to get the MRI then. the results of the MRI showed a small lesion in the right breast, (1-2mm )whereby another MRI was requested in 6 mths. This followup MRI is scheduled for this week (6/10/10). Heres hoping that its all okay
my questions through all this is:
Has anyone else out there been dignaosed of DCIS or any form of breast cancer this way of having it show up in the tissue that is removed from a breast reduction? My plastic surgeon says that of all the breast reductions he has done (and he has done a huge amount, though didnt say how many exactly) he has had only 4 cases of breastcancer show up in the tissue reved ..
