Hi Rachel
I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2003 and had a mastectomy. It showed up on the mammogram as a 6cm area but when I had the mastectomy it was acutally 9cm (pretty huge considering I had had a mammogram the year before and it hadn't shown up at all!!). I was told at the time that DCIS is pre-cancer because it is fully contained in the milk ducts. However in August 2010 I was once again diagnosed with BC - this time I had invasive ductal cancer (2.2cm) and it was recommended that, due to my history, I have another mastectomy. When I had the mastectomy this time they also found DCIS in the breast! You can apparently have it there without it showing up on the mammogram as some DCIS does not show as calcifications. I was pretty shocked.
I was told by my surgeon that I was unlucky (you're not kidding Genius!!) to have had breast cancer twice. Therefore I call DCIS a form of breast cancer. After all, if it is left to its own devices it will most likely escape from the milk ducts and become invasive ductal cancer.
I am 42 now (first diagnosed at 35 and then again this year) and the first time I had a tram flap reconstruction (which took a lot of recovering from). This time I have had a lat dorsi reconstruction. I haven't noticed any problems with my back as yet (and in fact hadn't heard of anyone having problems before this post!). I am only 6 weeks post op though and don't start my chemo until 27th October. It hasn't been particularly painful - I was only taking panadols in the hospital after the PCA was disconnected. I would more say it was a bit uncomfortable. I have already got pretty good arm movement again so I would certainly recommend it based on what I have been through (I know you have back problems though so I guess your doctor would be able to advise you best). I don't have to have any radiation therapy because of the mastectomy.
I hope this helps and good luck!
Louise x
