Hi Mary, I agree with you and it does seem strange that ofton the recommendation for DCIS is mastectomy which seems radical when some dont consider it cancer. Perhaps it is because of the nature of the ductal in that it appears differently, not as a lump as such.
For the record, BCNA follow the Cancer Australia line of thinking in their information calling it pre cancer or early stage cancer, but some surgeons appose this and are trying to 'put the brakes on' mastectomy for this diagnosis.
You might be interested in this article from NBCF.....
http://www.nbcf.org.au/Stories/Research/Time-to-‘rethink’-DCIS.aspx
I had multifocal IDC and high grade DCIS throughout so am happy with my choice of bilateral mastectomy after a couple of attempted lumpectomies that did not clear margins.
This is a great topic for discussion, good luck with your outcome, perhaps a second or third opinion would help.
XXXLouie
