What Is Ductal Carsinoma In Situ, DCIS

There are many types of breast cancer. All breast cancers start in the breast. They can be invasive or noninvasive. The tumor cells vary in location in the breast. Depending on what the doctor finds determine your treatment prognosis. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) is earliest and most treatable diagnosis of breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, 60,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. There are two types of Ductal Carcinoma. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ is also referred to as Intraductal Carcinoma.Invasive Ductal Carcinoma is the second type. It has uncontrolled growth of cells within the breast ducts in situ, which means in its original place. Noninvasive means that it hasn't made it to the breast tissue outside the ducts. In the earliest stages, DCIS cancer cells appear as areas of calcifications. It is usually staged as Stage 0 breast cancer. Additionally, women who have the presence of estrogen receptors, respond positively to hormone therapy. When caught early, there is a high cure rate. Your treatment plan is based on your tumor location, how big your tumor is, how aggressive the cancer cells look and your family history of breast cancer. In fact, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, NCCN, recommends women who have a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy for estrogen receptor (ER+) DCIS, consider taking Tamoxifen for five years. If you have a physical exam and mammogram and you have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, more tests will be done. It can be CT Scan, MRI,PET Scan, bone scan or chart X-Ray.Additionally, lymph nodes sampling may take place. Afterward, the doctor will determine what stage you are in and find the right treatment for you. Sometimes it can be surgery with chemotherapy and/or Tamoxifen which will be the right choice for you. Together with your doctor, you will make the right choice.I know having this diagnosis is hard becauseI have dealt with cancer in my own family. A wonderful nurse helped me get through this by saying one more treatment day is over for my family member. My world was turned upside down and the diagnosis of cancer changed the way I look at life forever. It helped make it through that very hard year. I now cherish each and every moment I share with my loved ones. I don't take things for granted and yes, I do stop and smell the roses and appreciate life so much more.In conclusion, treating cancer at an early stage can save lives. DCIS is often detected by a mammography. Early detection has greatly increased the chances for successful treatment and outcome. Ask your doctor how often you should have a Mammography.I believe every insurance plan now pays for these at 100%, so there is no excuse why you shouldn't have one whenever it is recommended to you.