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• 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: under 50 >> Kath - Interview 12 >> Kath had problems with her reconstruction very soon after surgery. She has had a lot of pain and will need more minor surgery.

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: 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: 65-70 >> Hilary - Interview 10 >> Hilary is planning to have her healthy breast reduced and nipple reconstruction using tissue from her leg. She wasn’t at all worried about it because

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 >> Patricia - Interview 7 >> Patricia was glad to have breast reconstruction because she disliked wearing a prosthesis and seeing herself in the mirror with only one breast.

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) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Sandra - Interview 1 >> Sandra is happier with her new breast now and plans to have her healthy breast lifted and nipple reconstruction.

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 >> Kath - Interview 12 >> Kath was extremely worried about having general anaesthetic because she’d had problems with it in the past. She was having a mastectomy and immediate

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 >> Di - Interview 32 >> Di said she had no idea how painful her arm would be after surgery. It has lessened over time and she hopes she will be able to do yoga properly again

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 >> Di - Interview 32 >> Di’s reconstruction is still settling into position and looks better than she had expected.

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 is happy with her new breast. She plans to have nipple reconstruction, and surgery on the healthy breast. Scarring on her reconstructed breast

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 >> Patricia - Interview 7 >> Patricia feels she would have recovered quicker if she’d had an immediate breast reconstruction but is looking forward to a mastopexy and a new nipple

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) >> Age at diagnosis: 55-60 >> Ann - Interview 2 >> Ann has had a lot of pain and discomfort since her reconstruction. She had a tendon cut to ease the pain and will be having a nerve cut soon.

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 >> Gillian - Interview 4 >> Gillian didn’t want reconstructive surgery for several reasons. She wanted to be as strong and healthy as possible and felt more surgery could cause o

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: under 50 >> Jo - Interview 11 >> Jo didn’t want immediate reconstruction in case she’d need chemotherapy or radiotherapy after her mastectomy. She may have reconstructive surgery in t

Jo was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, aged 42, over two years after seeing doctors about a bleeding nipple when she was breast-feeding. She had a mastectomy.

• 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: 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: under 50 >> Felicity - Interview 23 >> Not having a reconstruction was the right decision for Felicity because, after her mastectomy, she needed radiotherapy. She didn’t want any more surge

Felicity was diagnosed with DCIS, aged 41, after being referred to a breast clinic because of breast pain. She had two excision operations, a mastectomy and radiotherapy.

• 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: 55-60 >> Janet - Interview 30 >> Janet didn’t like the thought of reconstructive surgery. She said that, because she has a small breast, she is happy wearing a cumfie or prosthesis.

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: under 50 >> Pauline - Interview 28 >> Pauline explains why she chose to have an implant and what it involved. Her new breast felt harder than she expected but looked young and pert.

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: 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: 50-54 >> Sandra - Interview 1 >> After a difficult time because of an infection, Sandra is now getting used to her new breast. She also feels better physically and emotionally.

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 >> Pauline - Interview 28 >> Pauline was very happy with her reconstructed breast and said the scars from surgery were hard to see. She didn’t have the other breast lifted because

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: 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: 50-54 >> Hilary - Interview 6 >> Hilary felt lop-sided with only one breast. She was also getting back ache. After several discussions with the plastic surgeon, she opted for a DIEP f

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: 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 didn’t get much rest because the nurses regularly checked her breast but she was in no pain at all. She felt slightly nauseous and had an injecti

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 >> Beverley - Interview 15 >> Beverley was petrified the night before surgery and hardly slept. After surgery, she found the first three days uncomfortable and didn’t get much rest

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 >> Jane - Interview 5 >> When Jane first came home, she was tired, couldn’t move her arm very much and had discomfort around the scar on her stomach. She felt she was back to

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 >> Beverley - Interview 15 >> Beverley said she would recommend a DIEP flap reconstruction to other women. She is happy with her new breast and said an added benefit of the surgery

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 >> Hilary - Interview 6 >> Emotionally, having a reconstruction made Hilary feel more alive and passionate. She also sees her femininity in a different way.

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: 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: 50-54 >> Hilary - Interview 6 >> Hilary was pleased with her breast reconstruction but even happier after having nipple reconstruction using her own tissue. The first nipple reconstru

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: 50-54 >> Beverley - Interview 15 >> Both Beverley and her husband were pleased with her breast reconstruction. She can wear low cut tops and will have another nipple reconstruction soon.

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 >> 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 >> Linda - Interview 3 >> At the time of her mastectomy, Linda couldn’t face any more surgery. She said she can’t imagine living without a breast in the long-term and would lik

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) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Hilary - Interview 6 >> Hilary felt lop-sided with only one large breast, which caused her some back ache. She had a DIEP flap reconstruction two years after her mastectomy.

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: 50-54 >> Linda - Interview 3 >> At first, Linda found wearing a prosthesis hard to accept. She is used to wearing one now but would like to have breast reconstruction.

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) >> Age at diagnosis: 50-54 >> Jacky - Interview 25 >> Jacky found it hard to accept she had only one breast. She couldn’t wear what she wanted and the prosthesis sometimes fell out. Later she had breast r

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.