How many out there are being treated for DCIS?
This has been a challenging year to say the least with a call back to Breastscreen in March after finding suspicious calcium deposits.
A series of tests, hook wire biopsy, and wide local excision later, and the diagnosis was low grade DCIS and a papilloma. A massive haematoma later (one week before due to go overseas) and I decided to let it heal naturally, rather than go through more surgery.
Seven months later went overseas as planned, and returned to clear the margins of DCIS and to remove two papillomas (another papilloma was found in MRI, but nothing else. Went to post operative appointment to find out when I begin radiotherapy. Told margins all clear, BUT, pathology found two more areas of intermediate DCIS where the papillomas were removed. As this has not shown up on mammogram or MRI, now told I need a mastectomy! Gone into shock.
Have been led to believe that DCIS is pre cancer (non invasive) so struggle to understand why they treat it like invasive cancer. There is a school of thought (mainly American breast surgeons) that have a wait and see approach. But as this can't be monitored in my case, it is like living with a ticking time bomb.
I would love to hear from anyone out there in a similar situation. Am I the only person resisting this recommendation? Is there a DCIS support group in Victoria?
Told I have time to make a decision, but within a month or so would be good!
Now spending all my time researching DCIS and getting a second opinion.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thank goodness for sites such as this as there is nothing quite like talking to someone `who has been there' to help you in a crisis.
