Questions for Your Provider - DCIS

• Is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast cancer? How does DCIS differ from invasive breast cancer?
• What are my treatment options? Which treatments are you recommending for me and why?
• What are my chances for DCIS recurrence? For developing invasive breast cancer?
• How long do I have to make treatment decisions?
• Am I a candidate for lumpectomy (breast conserving surgery)?
• Will I need radiation therapy after my surgery? If I have radiation therapy, when will the radiation oncologist discuss my radiation treatment with me?
• Is my DCIS estrogen receptor-positive or -negative? Will tamoxifen therapy be recommended for me? What is the latest news about alternatives to tamoxifen?
• Were my tumor margins negative (uninvolved, clean, clear)? If not, what more will be done?
• Will I need more treatment after my surgery?
• If I am having a mastectomy, can breast reconstruction be done at the time of surgery, as well as later? How much later can it be done? Can you refer me to a reconstructive surgeon?
• If I choose not to have reconstruction, what types of prostheses are available? Where can I find them? Will my insurance cover the cost? 
• Will a follow-up care plan be prepared for me?
• Which health care provider is in charge of my follow-up care?
• What procedures will my insurance cover? (If your health care provider does not have this information, ask your insurance company directly.)
• Is there a clinical trial enrolling people with DCIS? If so, how can I learn more?
• Will the tissue removed during surgery be saved? Where will it be stored? For how long? How can it be accessed in the future? To learn more about breast pathology practices, read our report.

Learn more about talking to your health care provider. 

Updated 03/30/12