Hi everyone, I'm new here and was wondering if anyone here has had chemo for DCIS? My breast surgeon recommended me chemo as an adjuvant treatment (which is yet to be discussed with an oncologist) because of my young age (I’m 45), but frankly I’m a bit apprehensive about it all. I thought young age referred to below 40 yrs, and as far as I know chemo is not usually used for DCIS. I would love to hear if anyone has had chemo for DCIS, and what types/combinations of chemo and how did it all go? In addition, I’m strongly E+ and think Tamoxifen is on my adjuvant treatment list, but no radiation is necessary. annie

Hi anniep, I also have DCIS and am still in the planning stage for treatment. The Tamoxifen is a hormone treatment that will make you menopausal and works against the oestrogen. Your DCIS must be oestrogen sensitive for them to recommend tamoxifen. It does reduce the risk of the disease coming back but has be taken daily for 5 years. AnneMP is talking about the expensive Oncotype Dx used in USA. My specialist says it hasnt been around long enough to be reliable for DCIS and is better for invasive breast cancers, so he didnt recommend it. Mine is oestrogen sensitive too but my sisters have both had triple negative breast cancer and I have been told tamoxifen won't prevent that. Good luck with your choices its hard to know what to do. Get a second opinion if your aren't sure.

Yes, that's the test my oncologist wasn't wrapt with it either. When under 45 tamoxifen is not enough and won't put you in complete menopause that's why I will be having this injection. You are right Jen before the operation I didn't need any follow up treatment but because of the invasive tumor I now do. Good luck on the 7th Jen xx Anne

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

Hi Jen, thank you for the information. Indeed, I seem to be a 'good candidate' for Tamoxifen as I'm strongly ER+. For some reason I see Tamoxifen as less harsh than chemo but admit I could be totally wrong.. My peer support BC survivor however told me she had no side-effects none whatsoever from being on Tamoxifen for 5 yrs, but I guess everyone reacts differently. I might just get that 2nd opinion like you suggest.

Chemo for DCIS | BCNA Online Network

19 Replies

AnneMP
Member
13 years ago
Yes, that's the test my oncologist wasn't wrapt with it either. When under 45 tamoxifen is not enough and won't put you in complete menopause that's why I will be having this injection. You are right Jen before the operation I didn't need any follow up treatment but because of the invasive tumor I now do. Good luck on the 7th Jen xx Anne
JenAli
Member
13 years ago
Hi anniep, I also have DCIS and am still in the planning stage for treatment. The Tamoxifen is a hormone treatment that will make you menopausal and works against the oestrogen. Your DCIS must be oestrogen sensitive for them to recommend tamoxifen. It does reduce the risk of the disease coming back but has be taken daily for 5 years.

AnneMP is talking about the expensive Oncotype Dx used in USA. My specialist says it hasnt been around long enough to be reliable for DCIS and is better for invasive breast cancers, so he didnt recommend it.

Mine is oestrogen sensitive too but my sisters have both had triple negative breast cancer and I have been told tamoxifen won't prevent that.

Good luck with your choices its hard to know what to do. Get a second opinion if your aren't sure.

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Chemo for DCIS

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