Just been diagnosed with ducal carcinoma in situ. All happening very fast as having operation on 10 July. Anyone else got some advice etc if they have been in the same situation. Wasn’t expecting this result so all a bit unreal at the moment
Sorry to hear of your news - lots of ladies on here diagnosed with DCIS, hopefully some others will be along to offer support.
I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS last year, had two operations, radiotherapy and now on tamoxifen.
It can all be a bit overwhelming at first, scary even but having been through it I can say it’s very doable. I found the operation much easier than I thought it would be and was pain free and up and about within hours.
also good to keep in mind that DCIS has 100% survival rate
Hi Mary - so sorry to hear you've joined the club. I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS last year. After lumpectomy (there was no lump it was found on mammogram) and a course of radiotherapy I am now cured,
Like you it was totally unexpected but please remember thar DCIS is totally contained in the milk duct, is non invasive and not life threatening. I never lost sight of these facts during my treatment. My surgeon said I would be cured and they don't say that easily with cancer.
I'm now on a patient led follow up programme. They don't call for me but if I have the slightest concern they are only at the end of the phone if I need them. In addition I have the reassurance of annual mammograms for 5 years..
Good luck on the 10th. I was in and out on the day. No problems and all straightforward. Please let us know how you get on and if you've any more questions I'll be happy to help if I can - Irene xxx
Hi Magpiemaggie thanks for this. I just want to get the operation over now and then wait for the results. How long after your operation was it until you started radiotherapy?
Hi there Irene what a great site this is. Thanks for the info. I went for my routine mammogram and was expecting the usual reassuring letter as you do! Had the core biopsies done using mammogram machine I think as they couldn’t do it with ultrasound. Went for the results and have 12mm lesion. Going for my preop this Tuesday, lots of questions I want to ask as didn’t take it all in on the day I saw the Consultant.
I had my op on 3rd January last year and started my radiotherapy on the 9th February. I had 15 sessions. Monday to Friday for 3 weeks. It was all quite straightforward. Exactly the same treatment every day and doesn't take long. I felt a bit tired towards the end of treatment but that soon went. Although my husband came with me every day I drove the 40 mile round trip quite happily. Felt quite normal (whatever that might be) !!! throughout it all.
Once your wound site is healed just moisturise the area daily with a good double base cream (aqueous cream). My doctor prescribed Isomol Gel which I still use today.This prepares the skin for the radiotherapy and I had no skin reaction. Just felt a bit hot and itchy towards the end but again that soon went once treatment was finished.
My time from op to radiotherapy was complicated as I had to undergo another op for margin clearance. And then I had a couple of issues with the breathing technique I had to be able to do for rads so my radiotherspy was delayed a couple of times. I eventually stared it about 11wks after last op. Each person will be different depending on individual circumstances.
Hi Irene thanks for your reply. I would like to think I would be able to drive while having radiotherapy but will wait to see what they say about needing it when I get my results. All set for the preop tomorrow when it will all become more real. Glad you are doing okay. Will get some aqueous cream in
