Hi Hopeful

I went through this myself and was told "Scattered microcalcifications are usually a sign of benign breast tissue and fairly normal". Also has something to do with my 'age'. They rechecked me after 6 months and everything stayed the same. I hope that helps you not to worry as much. I also have a small 'node' on the adrenal gland and one on the liver they've checked several times and - they're not doing a thing. Something about ageing bodies..and it's normal.. Hoping the best for you.

Hello Hopeful Lady! Sounds like Sue has some good information there. I hope it all turns out well and that you'll come back and let us know how it goes!

A double mastectomy does not mean no breast cancer. I hope this doen't worry you more. I am surprised your surgeon did not mention this to you. I do believe it reduces your chance. I am going to have a double mastectomy myself on the 23rd. So I know it's easier said then done but don't worry yourself time is to precious. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sue is right. Microcalcifications are normal, especially as we get older. I'm 45. Was diagnosed and had a mastectomy at 42. My surgeon (female) discussed my treatment and surgical options in length and preferred that I have a double mastectomy. However, I read several research findings and opted to remove only the breast that had the tumor. I don't regret it at all. In fact after my surgeon got to know me a bit more she too agreed that I made the right choice for me. Everyone is different and only you know how you feel.

As Courtneyll said, a double mastectomy does not guarantee you will never have breast cancer.

Thanks all for replying. I went in today for the stereotactic biopsy and will opefully have negative results by Wed or Thursday. It definitely wasn't fun but not too bad. My mother is currently dying of breast cancer found years ag at stage 4 and it has recently been found to have spread to her brain. I guess with all of that going on I am extra scared. I also have to young, 4 & 7, children and can't imagine what will go throug their little minds if this is cancer. The have been through too much already with Grandma. Once again thanks for the support!

My surgeon called this evening and said it is DCIS grade 1 or 2. I'm trying real hard to look at the positive. My hardest part is what and how to tell my children (by the way I'm Hopeful Lady). Any thoughts?

Hopeful, you are fortunate in the fact that you have been diagnosed at one of the earliest stages of breast cancer. The first advice I got was this, you will only remember less than 20% of what you are told so it's best to have someone with you so they can help with the details later.

Educate yourself. Don't rely on others for all the details, many times that information is inflated. Go to Mayoclinic.com to get some great and detailed information concerning DCIS.

Keep looking at the positive, it will help tremendously.

Thank you very much cvera. I go see the surgeaon @ 5 today to discuss the options. Do you have thoughts about Tamoxifen? That seems more harmful than helpful with the liklihood of uterine cancer jumping up. I am educating myself but when I see something negative it brings it all back to reality again and I go numb. Thanks again to all of you.

Tamoxifen is an option if your breast cancer is hormone related. I don't believe DCIS is hormone realated but that would be a question for your doctor.

Your Oncologist will explain all treatment options to you. Trust him/her. Don't be afraid to ask questions or discuss anything that is out of the ordinary, no matter how small. It can all be relative.

Hopeful Mom, I was diagnosed with DCIS stage 1. I also had a few microcalcifications. I had a lumpectomy, radiation, tamoxifen for 4 years and now am on arimidex. I was 48 when diagnosed. Seven years later, I am still here. It sounds like you have caught yours early so I think your prognosis should be good. Try not to be scared. I lost a summer of my life to fear when I was diagnosed. Just dive into treatment, start getting it done, and you will feel better. You can do this.

Breast cancer is scary and so many people tell you horror stories about Chemo. I had was diagnosed with breat cancer both DCIS and invasive breast cancer with a large tumor. Had my surgery and 5 months of Chemo I was scared but determined and have to tell the world I was never sick a day and only tired 1 day a month . I have no problems today and I am coming up on my 9th anniversary will soon be 75 yrs old and healthier than my younger friends . I know you can beat this . Good Luck

hi ladynew I am glad chemo was easy on you, not sure what meds you were on. I just found that when people told me how it easy it was it made me feel like I wasn't strong or that I was doing something wrong. Best wishes to you on 9 years I hope to say that someday.

The Chemo I took was adrimyacin and cytoxin probably spelled wrong the medication I took was Zofran .Given to me with the Chemo and by mouth for 3 days after caused some constipation but milk of magnesia took care of that a small price to pay to not be sick .

Courtney11, I am keeping you in my thoughts. I know your surgery is coming up and I hope all the best for you. I will get all my test results back this week hopefully so I will know if the cancer is anywhere else. Then I have to make the lump vs mast decision. I am leaning toward the mastectomy due to odds of recurrance and no radiaton. DCIS is supposedly hormone related, cvera, according to my surgeon. I will be checking in to that more though. Ladynew, I am very happy for your success and positive attitude. I am getting both sides and trying to stay positive. It's hard for me with my Mom's breast cancer having gone so negatively so far. I hope she will fight longer but I feel she has had enough. Good and kind thoughts to you all.

I had AC chemo as well but I was sick for a week after each treatment. None of the anti-nausea pills worked for me. There were days I couldn't get out of bed without help and some days I couldn't walk without help. But hey I know it could have been worse. So Courtneyll don't feel like you did anything wrong. Everyone has a different cocktail. I was not as ill as some patients but more ill than others. That's just the nature of the treatments.

Guess I was fortunate in my treatment. I have a lot of faith in the place where I was treated Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit. Also had a friend the local Oncologist told to get her life in order that she would not survive she went there also and is alive today another 8 year survivor . My mom had Breast cancer twice 10 years apart and passed away much later from a heart attack at 84 . Keep me posted as to how you are doing Hoping and praying you do as good or better than I did . I'll be rooting for you

Hopeful mom. I was 44 when I was diagnosed at stage 3, 5 years ago. My kids were 3, 8 and 11 years old. I had a bilateral mastectomy. Bilateral does not mean I can not get breast cancer because no one can guarantee that they remove every breast tissue cell but I figured that it would greatly decrease the odds. It was the best decision for me but everyone is different. You are lucky you found it early. Believe me it is the early days and the decision making that is the hardest. Like someone said before, ask questions then trust in yourself to make the best decisions that you can. I can't imagine going through all this at the same time that your mother is so sick. Remember that she was diagnosed at a much later stage than you and your fight with this horrible disease should be much more successful and reassure your kids of that too. Has anyone talked with you about genetic testing, since your mother also had breast cancer and I assume that you are on the younger side yourself? It doesn't have to be done now but it might be something to consider. If you carry the BRCA genes for breast cancer you might choose a more aggressive approach than otherwise. My advice now is to spend quality time with your kids. They need your love and to have fun with you. They will help get you through this just because of who they are. They are a wonderful distraction from all the bad stuff. I hope all goes well for you. Hang in there.

PS I took tamoxifen for 2 years and am now on an aromatase inhibitor. Tamoxifen scared me too but all drugs have side effects. You have to ask questions and weigh the pros and the cons then trust your decisions. Easier said than done. I know, I've been there. Good Luck.

HI I'm a Survivor. I, too, am 44. I did the genetic testing (the radiologist set it up for because my surgeon would not even though I requested it)and am awaiting the results. My daughter is almost 5 but I need to know for both our benefit. I am to talk with the plastic surgeon on Mon. 2nd to get info. I still haven't had anyone give me any ideas on how or what to tell my children. I have had a lot of people tell me what to do because "that is best" but I am just blocking all that out just as I did when I was pregnant. I know I (aong with my husband) need to make the best decisions for me and us as a family. My surgeon says that Tamoxifen is no big deal except for increased risk of blood clots (like birth control he says) I have read otherwise. I am not sure that I am happy about the surgeon I have either. There are two in our hospital and they are in the same office so I'm not sure it would do any good to get an opinion from the other or how I would go about that. I've caught the sugeon in several contradictions and he seems to be very "flip" about it. He says, lumpectomy and radiation are the way to go. I am definitely leaning toward a bilateral mastectomy for many reasons - recurrance rates, family history, etc. Once again, thank you all for helping me through this. My husband doesn't understand it all and I can't talk to my Mom. I really don't want to have it spread around our small community so you all are a great help!!!