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• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Information >> Information

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• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Sandra - Interview 1 >> After her biopsy, Sandra looked for more information on the internet.

Sandra was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 50. She had a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction using an implant. After surgery, Paget’s disease was also found.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Jacky - Interview 25 >> The word ‘cancer’ frightened Jacky. She knew nothing about DCIS and desperately wanted to understand what it was.

Jacky was diagnosed with DCIS in her right breast in 1994, aged 52, and had two wide local excisions. Later, a second cancer was found in her left breast and Jacky had a mastectomy.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Agnes - Interview 8 >> Waiting to have surgery made Agnes even more anxious and she had a headache. She would have liked more information beforehand about what would happen

Agnes had a wide local excision, after which some invasive cancer was also found. She will be having radiotherapy and taking tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Ann - Interview 2 >> Ann wanted more information from doctors and felt asking questions was important.

Ann was diagnosed with DCIS in 2005, aged 56. She had a mastectomy and LD flap reconstruction at the same time. She is currently taking tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Rachel - Interview 29 >> After having a mastectomy, Rachel wondered whether it had really been necessary. She would have liked more time before surgery to think about it.

Rachel was diagnosed with DCIS after her first mammogram. She felt she was rushed into having a mastectomy, which she had one day after her diagnosis.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Pam - Interview 17 >> Information helped Pam cope better. She read as much as she could and also found the monthly phone calls from the breast care nurse helpful.

Pam was diagnosed with DCIS in 2005, aged 53. Her mother had also had DCIS and, because of this, Pam had already heard and read about it. Pam had a wide local excision and radiotherapy, and is taking tamoxifen for five years.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Linda - Interview 3 >> Linda was having worrying side effects with tamoxifen. After talking to other women on the internet and her GP, she switched to Nolvadex.

Linda was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 53. She had a wide local excision, followed by a mastectomy. She was also prescribed Nolvadex for five years.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Interview with Radiologist / Breast Surgeon >> Breast Surgeon - Interview 37 >> A doctor explains why women diagnosed with DCIS are given different treatments.

Dr Horgan explains what DCIS is, the different grades of DCIS, how it is treated, having an operation and more.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: under 50 >> Sue - Interview 9 >> Sue felt positive about having a wide local excision because of what her doctor had told her and what she’d read on the internet.

Sue was diagnosed with DCIS at 49 and had a wide local excision. She was pleased she went for the mammogram and recommends them to other women.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Agnes - Interview 8 >> After talking to the nurse and doing her own research, Agnes chose a wide local excision. She felt a mastectomy was too drastic for a non-invasive con

Agnes had a wide local excision, after which some invasive cancer was also found. She will be having radiotherapy and taking tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Hazel - Interview 26 >> Hazel declined to take part in a trial because she didn’t have the information she needed. She felt doctors didn’t know enough about the best way to t

In 1991 Hazel had a wide local excision, after which she was diagnosed with DCIS. She then researched DCIS and breast screening and chooses not to have routine mammograms.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: under 50 >> Sue - Interview 9 >> Sue had not heard of DCIS before her own diagnosis.

Sue was diagnosed with DCIS at 49 and had a wide local excision. She was pleased she went for the mammogram and recommends them to other women.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Patricia - Interview 27 >> Patricia decided to have her remaining breast removed because she wanted to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer again. She would also feel mor

Patricia was diagnosed with DCIS in 1999, aged 53. She had a mastectomy and, about a year later, a second mastectomy because she felt unbalanced with only one breast and worried about recurrence.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Eileen - Interview 24 >> Eileen was shocked to hear she’d need a mastectomy for DCIS and to learn that DCIS is a complex condition that doctors don’t yet fully understand.

Eileen was diagnosed with DCIS in 2002 and had a mastectomy. Afterwards, she questioned the value of breast screening and chooses not to have routine mammograms.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Di - Interview 32 >> Di couldn’t believe she needed a mastectomy for a precancerous condition that might never develop. Doctors were unable to answer the questions she had

Di was diagnosed with DCIS in 2003 after her first routine mammogram. She had a mastectomy and LD flap reconstruction six months after diagnosis.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 65-70 >> Hilary - Interview 10 >> Hilary knew straight away that she wanted breast reconstruction. She felt frightened at the thought of coming round after surgery and having only one

Hilary was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 66. She had a mastectomy and immediate LD flap reconstruction. She was awaiting further surgery to match both breasts.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Di - Interview 32 >> Talking to a counsellor and a woman who’d had an LD flap reconstruction helped Di think more positively about reconstruction. She had less scarring th

Di was diagnosed with DCIS in 2003 after her first routine mammogram. She had a mastectomy and LD flap reconstruction six months after diagnosis.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Agnes - Interview 8 >> Agnes would have liked to know beforehand that shaking and shivering were possible reactions to anaesthetic.

Agnes had a wide local excision, after which some invasive cancer was also found. She will be having radiotherapy and taking tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Gillian - Interview 4 >> Gillian would have liked more information about the surgical options from a health professional. After talking to the doctor about how another excisio

Gillian was diagnosed with high-grade DCIS in 2006, aged 50, a year after her first routine mammogram. She had two breast conserving operations and, later, a mastectomy.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Liz - Interview 16 >> Liz felt that a mastectomy would be the best option for her because she had widespread high-grade DCIS. She didn’t want several excisions and was happ

Liz had a wide local excision, and was waiting to have a mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction because more DCIS was found after her first operation.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Rachel - Interview 29 >> There was very little time between diagnosis and surgery. Rachel felt it was like a whirlwind. She would have liked more time to adjust to the shock o

Rachel was diagnosed with DCIS after her first mammogram. She felt she was rushed into having a mastectomy, which she had one day after her diagnosis.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Hilary - Interview 6 >> Hilary was shocked to have a biopsy and felt that more information in the recall letter might have prepared her.

Hilary was diagnosed with DCIS in 2001, aged 50. She had a wide local excision, followed by a mastectomy. She also had a delayed DIEP flap reconstruction, followed by breast reduction surgery and nipple reconstruction.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: under 50 >> Elizabeth - Interview 21 >> Elizabeth, a nurse, felt anxious when she hadn’t received an appointment for radiotherapy. She was also concerned about the possible effects of radiot

Elizabeth had a wide local excision, radiotherapy and is taking tamoxifen for five years. Work helped her to stay positive and focussed throughout.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Sandra - Interview 1 >> Sandra was confused about whether she needed radiotherapy. She wanted more information and found it helpful talking to her plastic surgeon.

Sandra was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 50. She had a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction using an implant. After surgery, Paget’s disease was also found.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: under 50 >> Elizabeth - Interview 21 >> Elizabeth, a nurse, said she had all the information she needed and it was easy to read and understand.

Elizabeth had a wide local excision, radiotherapy and is taking tamoxifen for five years. Work helped her to stay positive and focussed throughout.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Janet - Interview 30 >> Janet got all the information she needed from her breast care nurse, including the title of a very helpful book.

Janet was diagnosed with DCIS in 1997 after a routine mammogram and had a recurrence in 2003. She had a wide local excision and radiotherapy in 1997 and a mastectomy in 2003. She was also prescribed tamoxifen then.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Agnes - Interview 8 >> Agnes would have liked much more information when she was discharged from hospital. She recommended a book that she found very helpful.

Agnes had a wide local excision, after which some invasive cancer was also found. She will be having radiotherapy and taking tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Carol - Interview 18 >> Carol found the breast cancer forums helpful but said that information on the internet could be confusing because everyone had different diagnoses.

Carol was diagnosed with DCIS in 2008, aged 51. She had a wide local excision and was happy with the care and treatment she received.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 65-70 >> Shirley - Interview 22 >> Shirley didn’t want to be confused by all the information on the internet and preferred to talk to health professionals.

Shirley was diagnosed with DCIS in 2006, aged 70. She had a wide local excision and radiotherapy, and also took part in a clinical trial.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Beverley - Interview 15 >> Beverley has set up a support group for women going through breast reconstruction.

Beverley was diagnosed with DCIS in 2006, aged 50. She had a mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction, which she was very happy with.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 65-70 >> Hilary - Interview 10 >> Hilary was happy with the care and information she got but would have liked to speak to other women in their sixties.

Hilary was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 66. She had a mastectomy and immediate LD flap reconstruction. She was awaiting further surgery to match both breasts.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Jacky - Interview 25 >> Jacky wanted support more than information and to talk to other women in a similar situation. At the time she was diagnosed, there were very few breas

Jacky was diagnosed with DCIS in her right breast in 1994, aged 52, and had two wide local excisions. Later, a second cancer was found in her left breast and Jacky had a mastectomy.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Agnes - Interview 8 >> Agnes was grateful to talk to another woman with DCIS but preferred to get information from other women by using internet forums.

Agnes had a wide local excision, after which some invasive cancer was also found. She will be having radiotherapy and taking tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Ann - Interview 2 >> Ann wanted to talk to other women who were at the same stage as her and trying to make decisions about treatment.

Ann was diagnosed with DCIS in 2005, aged 56. She had a mastectomy and LD flap reconstruction at the same time. She is currently taking tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Hilary - Interview 6 >> Hilary kept a record all the dates and procedures she had as well as photographs of her surgery. They are a reminder of everything she has been and co

Hilary was diagnosed with DCIS in 2001, aged 50. She had a wide local excision, followed by a mastectomy. She also had a delayed DIEP flap reconstruction, followed by breast reduction surgery and nipple reconstruction.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: under 50 >> Pauline - Interview 28 >> Pauline thinks that women who are diagnosed with DCIS should be given a little pack with information about websites and various other local and nation

Pauline was diagnosed with DCIS in 2001, aged 49, after her first routine mammogram. She had two excisions, followed by a mastectomy and reconstruction using an implant. She also had radiotherapy and took tamoxifen for two years.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Jane - Interview 5 >> Jane says that DCIS is very early breast cancer and can be treated. There is a lot of helpful information on the internet.

Jane was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 58. She had a mastectomy and a DIEP flap breast reconstruction at the same time.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Interview with Radiologist / Breast Surgeon >> Breast Surgeon - Interview 37 >> A doctor explains why DCIS is treated by either wide local excision or mastectomy.

Dr Horgan explains what DCIS is, the different grades of DCIS, how it is treated, having an operation and more.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Pam - Interview 17 >> Pam had only come across DCIS because her mother was diagnosed with it several years earlier.

Pam was diagnosed with DCIS in 2005, aged 53. Her mother had also had DCIS and, because of this, Pam had already heard and read about it. Pam had a wide local excision and radiotherapy, and is taking tamoxifen for five years.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Pauline - Interview 33 >> Pauline wanted relevant information at each different stage of treatment. She got it from various different sources.

Pauline had three excisions, radiotherapy and tamoxifen. She had DCIS as well as invasive breast cancer.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Di - Interview 32 >> Di had been fit and healthy and was shocked to hear she would need a mastectomy for a precancerous condition. She was being given lots of information

Di was diagnosed with DCIS in 2003 after her first routine mammogram. She had a mastectomy and LD flap reconstruction six months after diagnosis.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Jane - Interview 5 >> Jane reacted by looking for more information and found it reassuring. She advises other women not to spend too much time looking for information on th

Jane was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 58. She had a mastectomy and a DIEP flap breast reconstruction at the same time.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Rachel - Interview 29 >> Rachel didn’t know until afterwards what type of biopsy she’d had and would have liked more information beforehand.

Rachel was diagnosed with DCIS after her first mammogram. She felt she was rushed into having a mastectomy, which she had one day after her diagnosis.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Sandra - Interview 1 >> Sandra asked her breast care nurse for some information about how to talk to her ten and twelve year old boys about her diagnosis. It was surprisingly

Sandra was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 50. She had a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction using an implant. After surgery, Paget’s disease was also found.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: under 50 >> Jane - Interview 14 >> Jane broke the news to her daughter on the phone and gave her 19 year old son leaflets to read. Her daughter was very upset but was later reassured af

Jane was diagnosed with DCIS after her first routine mammogram, aged 49. She had a wide local excision and is now getting on with life as normal.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Agnes - Interview 8 >> Agnes would have liked more information when she was discharged. She is having her dressings changed every two days because of an allergy and taking a

Agnes had a wide local excision, after which some invasive cancer was also found. She will be having radiotherapy and taking tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Eileen - Interview 24 >> Eileen was extremely worried about having lymph nodes removed and wondered why it was necessary for a precancerous condition.

Eileen was diagnosed with DCIS in 2002 and had a mastectomy. Afterwards, she questioned the value of breast screening and chooses not to have routine mammograms.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: under 50 >> Jacqui - Interview 31 >> Jacqui’s implant had lost its shape after a fall. She was unsure about having more surgery but felt that having a breast improved her self esteem.

Jacqui was diagnosed with DCIS in 1995 after having a mammogram that was part of a clinical trial. She had a mastectomy and, two weeks later, a reconstruction using an implant.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Jane - Interview 5 >> After talking to her plastic surgeon and looking on the internet, Jane opted for a DIEP flap reconstruction. She was worried about the general anaesth

Jane was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 58. She had a mastectomy and a DIEP flap breast reconstruction at the same time.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Jane - Interview 5 >> Jane advises women with larger breasts to consider whether they would prefer to be a size smaller. She plans to have a breast reduction but wishes she

Jane was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 58. She had a mastectomy and a DIEP flap breast reconstruction at the same time.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Liz - Interview 16 >> Deciding which type of reconstruction to have was difficult. Liz has chosen to have a DIEP flap reconstruction with a slightly smaller breast than bef

Liz had a wide local excision, and was waiting to have a mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction because more DCIS was found after her first operation.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Jane - Interview 5 >> Jane has been waiting a year for her mastopexy, which was delayed for clinical reasons. She was frustrated to learn, though, that the surgeon has to s

Jane was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 58. She had a mastectomy and a DIEP flap breast reconstruction at the same time.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Pam - Interview 17 >> Pam was very concerned about the tattoo-like marks that would be drawn on her skin before radiotherapy and about her breast shrinking after it, a poss

Pam was diagnosed with DCIS in 2005, aged 53. Her mother had also had DCIS and, because of this, Pam had already heard and read about it. Pam had a wide local excision and radiotherapy, and is taking tamoxifen for five years.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Beverley - Interview 15 >> Beverley felt she wasn’t given enough information. She wanted small amounts of information and different stages and wished she’d known about Breast Ca

Beverley was diagnosed with DCIS in 2006, aged 50. She had a mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction, which she was very happy with.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Agnes - Interview 8 >> Agnes would have liked more information about the core biopsy and specific information about DCIS. She advises women to get as much information as the

Agnes had a wide local excision, after which some invasive cancer was also found. She will be having radiotherapy and taking tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Patricia - Interview 7 >> Patricia had invasive breast cancer and DCIS. She feels that making treatment decisions for DCIS are harder because it might not develop. She would ha

Patricia was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 53. She had a mastectomy and LD flap reconstruction six months later. She will also be taking hormone therapy.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Interview with Radiologist / Breast Surgeon >> Breast Surgeon - Interview 37 >> A doctor explains why a mastectomy is recommended for some women with DCIS.

Dr Horgan explains what DCIS is, the different grades of DCIS, how it is treated, having an operation and more.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Eileen - Interview 24 >> Eileen felt there should be more research into how different lifestyles could affect the development of DCIS cells.

Eileen was diagnosed with DCIS in 2002 and had a mastectomy. Afterwards, she questioned the value of breast screening and chooses not to have routine mammograms.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Patricia - Interview 27 >> Patricia talked to her breast care nurse because she was worried she’d had a mastectomy unnecessarily. She was reassured by the nurse and after readin

Patricia was diagnosed with DCIS in 1999, aged 53. She had a mastectomy and, about a year later, a second mastectomy because she felt unbalanced with only one breast and worried about recurrence.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: under 50 >> Jane - Interview 14 >> Jane felt reassured to know she had DCIS instead of invasive breast cancer. She would like a copy of her pathology report and hopes she can pluck up t

Jane was diagnosed with DCIS after her first routine mammogram, aged 49. She had a wide local excision and is now getting on with life as normal.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: under 50 >> Kath - Interview 12 >> Kath wanted more information about the kind of DCIS she had. She would have liked a copy of her pathology report and to talk to other women with DCIS

Kath was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 47, after seeing her GP because her breast felt dense. She had a mastectomy and LD flap reconstruction.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Beverley - Interview 15 >> Beverley feels that information about DCIS before going for breast screening could be frightening. People only want to know about cancer when they are

Beverley was diagnosed with DCIS in 2006, aged 50. She had a mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction, which she was very happy with.

• Cancer >> Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Hazel - Interview 26 >> Hazel would have liked a lot more information before going for breast screening about what it can and can’t find and the areas of uncertainty.

In 1991 Hazel had a wide local excision, after which she was diagnosed with DCIS. She then researched DCIS and breast screening and chooses not to have routine mammograms.