Chemo for DCIS

Hi Anne, thank you for your reply, so good to hear from others in similar situations. I too had DCIS in the right breast and was initially recommended lumpectomy but after a lot of thinking and researching I myself asked for bilat mastectomy and immediate reconstruct (implants) too. Isn't that even freakier than just our names!!  I chose that option as I did not want to go through the same trip again if I was to be so unlucky and get breast cancer again in the future.. I don't regret my decision, my boobies now 2 weeks post surgery are already looking much like my own and I have no pain as such. But most of all, the pathologist unexpectedly found a small DCIS in the removed left breast tissue as well. My lymph nodes (had a sentinental biopsy) were clear though which was a relief..

It's interesting that your oncologist sees chemo unnecessary. My surgeon did not mention anything about the possibility of a dual hormone treatment, but was rather adamant about the chemo. I have researched the topic (tamoxifen & ovarian ablation) a bit recently and indeed it appears to be used as an alternative to chemo, espacially in ER+ and HER2- BC. I was on the borderline on HER2 and still waiting for the results of an additional test (FISH) to confirm the HER status. Damn it's hard to decide what to do. Of course one wants to do all one can to prevent recurrence but chemo is major stuff. But then again, I assume a sudden early menopause is not a fun ride either. My husband says chemo in my case is like 'a shot in the dark', they cannot really say whether it would prevent anything... The oncotype DX test sure is expensive, but might give the final say to chemo or no chemo..

Anyway, Ill keep you posted on what's to come. Wishing you all the best / Annie