"Surgery & Radiation Now" versus "Mammograms every 6 Months"

Be_strong

Happy New Year!! I have DCIS Stage 0 in rt breast, with markers inserted. I am 68 years old. I have lumpectomy surgery scheduled on Jan. 7, 2026 (in 6 days). I made an appointment with my surgeon to discuss everything on Jan. 5, 2026. I would like to ask what people have done in my situation or what people think are the pros and cons of surgery + radiation therapy versus postponing surgery + mammograms every 6 months. When the doctors did a lumpectomy on me, they found "pre-cancerous" cells. I can't help but wonder about the "pre-cancerous" label. Has anyone decided to just forego the surgery and do mammograms every 6 months?? (My surgery has been postponed once because I had an infection.) (My doctor didn't mention postponing surgery with mammograms every 6 months as an option.) (I am a caretaker of my mother-in-law and cannot travel to the nearest big city for treatment.) I am beyond anxious and barely functioning with nightmares and panic attacks and cannot wrap my head around the surgery (with most of my family thinking, of course, I should do the surgery, and one sister (doggedly) pushing me for a "natural treatment" with no conventional treatment). Thank you so much!! I hope everyone is physically and mentally healing and at peace.

SNG67

I was diagnosed with DCIS stage 0 in October 2024. I was 67. I had the lumpectomy surgery and that went very well. I opted to do 20 radiation treatments and didn’t have any issues with the radiation. I had a slight sun burn but no pain or itching. I then started taking Tamoxifen which is a hormone blocker to help protect the other breast. I had a mammogram 6 months later and then another one in October and everything is fine. I think that you need to do what you feel comfortable with and listen to the experts. Have a list of questions to ask your surgeon. Will be praying for you and your doctors.

Be_strong

Thank you so much for your response!! Your advice makes a lot of sense. I’ll put together a list for my Monday doctor’s appointment. Thank you! 🙏 😊

wiscgirl

A mammogram found Invasive ductal cancer with DCIS . Surgery to remove tumor was done with radiation . The radiation side effects were minimal a sunburn like rash appeared on chest when my 15 sessions were almost over. No pain some fatigue. I would not hesitate to do the same treatment again if necessary. My best wishes to you .

Be_strong

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1725692#Comment_1725692

Thank you so much! And God bless.

SNG67

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1725674#Comment_1725674

Hope you had a good Dr appointment today and will be praying for decisions you will be making.