Hi there.......what a confusing time for you. I was diagnosed with DCIS two years ago. I was recalled following my mammogram and after further tests and biopsies was told I had high grade DCIS.

As I understand it there are three grades.....low, intermediate and high. Low grade is very slow growing and quite often a wait and see approach is taken. With my high grade I had a lumpectomy and then 15 sessions of radiotherapy. 

What is important to remember with DCIS is that it's totally contained in the milk duct, is non invasive, is not life threatening and is totally treatable. I never lost sight of these facts during my treatment and trusted my medical team absolutely. I'm now cured and am on a patient led follow up programme which means that they don't send for me but they are only at the end of the phone if I have the slightest worry. I also have the reassurance of an annual mammogramm for five years. I've just had my second all clear result.

 I hope this helps and wish you well for the future.........Irene x

Hello Irene,

thank you so much for your response.

im so pleased you are now cured.

can I ask you a couple of questions please? I was wondering how you got a diagnosis, did you also have microcalcifications and what was your testing process?

please don't worry about answering if I am being intrusive.

How was the lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I work full time with no sick pay and I am a single mum with two children. My biggest fear is not being able to work and pay the bills, put food on the table etc xx

Hi there....

When I was recalled after my mammogram (Nov 2017) I had the core biopsises done on the same day. My mammogram showed microcalcifications that needed checking out. They told me at the time that very often they are harmless and not all need any treatment. A week later I had an appointment for the results where they told me that they showed high grade DCIS and that I would need surgery and radiotherapy.

I had the lumpectomy at the beginning of January 2018. I was in and out of hospital in the day and had no ill effects. Just felt a bit sore and bruised but felt perfectly ok.

I had 15 daily sessions of radiotherapy (Monday to Friday) which started in the February through to March. I felt absolutely fine throughout the whole process. Although my husband came with me I drove the 40 mile round trip each day and had no ill effect at all from it. I'd prepared my skin well with a good moisturiser and had no skin irritation at all.The radiotherapy sessions are really quick and, if you need it, the staff are brilliant and flexible to give you appointments to fit in with your day.

I'm retired now but I feel I could have worked through it but I did office work so nothing too heavy.

I hope you find this helpful. You sound like are a really organised person and are right to be prepared for what might lie ahead. 

Wishing you lots of luck for the future. Please let me know how you get on and if you've anything else you want to ask I'm right here for you ..........Irene xx

Thank you so much Irene,

Sounds like I could still work through most of it which is fantastic news. That's really helped massively!

The consultants letter says they are looking to book me in for Vacuum biopsy in July which seems an eternity away but I will update here when I have an appointment etc

you have really helped put my mind at ease thank you so mich

you take care of yourself xxx

Just glad to be of help.... with 2 girls you will be kept busy and the time will soon pass. Happy to answer anything else you might think of if I can......Irene x

Ah thank you Irene xxx