Why is DCIS treated?
It’s thought that invasive breast cancer might start as DCIS. If you have DCIS, your risk of developing invasive breast cancer is higher than it would be if you didn’t have DCIS. It’s not possible to say exactly how much higher the risk is. However, some studies suggest that the risk of developing invasive breast cancer is four to twelve times higher in women treated for DCIS than for women without DCIS. Not every woman with DCIS will develop invasive breast cancer. It’s not possible to tell which women will develop invasive disease.
Treating DCIS is important to lower your risk of developing invasive breast cancer.
How is DCIS treated?
DCIS is usually treated by surgery (breast conserving surgery or mastectomy), with or without radiotherapy. Hormonal therapies (drugs that change the way hormones work in the body) are still being tested for use in women with DCIS. Chemotherapy is not used to treat DCIS.
How do I decide about treatment?
It’s up to you how much you want to be involved in making decisions about your treatment. You might want to be actively involved or you might want your doctors to make decisions for you. Discuss any decisions you make with your doctors and with those close to you. Ask for as much information as you need. You may need to contact your doctors or breast care nurse a few times before you make your decision.
Questions you might want to ask to help you decide about treatment
- What treatment do you recommend? Why?
- What are the benefits, risks and side effects of each treatment option?
- What are the chances that DCIS will come back or breast cancer will develop after treatment?
- Can I speak with other women who have had this treatment?
- Can I work while I’m having treatment?
