My mother is 75 years old and had breast cancer 30 years ago. She needed a mastectomy.

She was just diagnosed with DCIS. The doctor is recommending a lumpectomy with chemo.

I have done all the research online. I wanted to find out what people's experiences have been DCIS.

How nervous should I be?

From what I know, DCIS is a precancer that has not yet broken through the breast duct wall and therefore cannot travel to the lymph nodes or other areas of the body. If there is a GOOD cancer to get, it would be DCIS.

Another good thing about your mom's situation, is that as an older, postmenopausal women, the cancer is probably a slow grower. Do you know what grade she had? - Grade 1 and 2 are usually not terrribly agressive but grade 3 IS aggressive. - I would expect she is a grade 1 or 2.

One thing I would question is the need for chemo? Is she getting a 2nd opinion? From what I know, visiting another breast ca site, DCIS usually does not require chemo, as the tumor is not invasive.

Good luck to you and your mom, with her treatment plan. Glad she is a long term survivor from an earlier breast ca. My mom is 29 yrs out from her dx and is now 84yrs old. I am a 2 year survivor with a very good prognosis and hope to live a long life, like my mom.

Leea

Thanks for the info. Some websites say that chemo is needed, some say it is not. We did not consider a second opinion. It might not be a bad idea.