Should I choose mastectomy over lumpectomy for DCIS?

This is such a difficult decision to navigate, especially when dealing with the overwhelming emotions that come with any cancer diagnosis. Many people in this community have faced similar crossroads between different treatment options, and there's no universally right answer - what matters most is finding the path that feels right for your specific situation and gives you the most peace of mind. Consider discussing all your concerns about hormone therapy, recurrence anxiety, and quality of life with your medical team, as they can help you weigh the benefits and risks based on your individual case before making this important decision.

At first i was definitely leaning toward mastectomy for my DCIS. I did a LOT of research on DCIS and read a few studies that seemed to suggest if a patient suffers an invasive cancer after mastectomy, it tends to be found at a later stage and involve a distant body part. I wound up feeling safer keeping my breast and having regular mammograms. Radiation therapy was not a big deal for me but hormone therapy has been challenging. I am now on my second aromatase inhibitor and doing better. Discuss treatment and recurrence rates with your physician. Good luck to you !