It’s my 15 year Overdiagnosis Day!
January 19, 2010 — my life changed forever.
This was the day I was given a diagnosis of something I had never heard of before.
It was called Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) and it was described as a “pre-cancer.”
But…..because of uncertainty about a potential future real INVASIVE cancer, I was told the treatments were agggressive, the same as if it were invasive cancer.
I was given scary risk statistics, and sent home with an outdated inappropriate booklet called “A Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatments.”
I KNEW in my gut something wasn’t right.
This was the beginning of a 15 year investigation that continues to this day!
Every day my heart breaks for women who unknowingly become another statistic of this epidemic.
My websites DCIS 411 and DCIS Redefined provide information which is vastly different from other websites discussing DCIS. These sites not only help women understand the controversy and issues about DCIS overdiagnosis and overtreatment, they also focus on newer safer technologies for monitoring breast health, as well as holistic ways to reduce cancer risk while increasing body, mind, spirit wellness.
Online groups affiliated with my websites have grown from a few women to thousands in the last few years. Women are actively seeking “alternative” information, and those finding my websites and support groups are extremely grateful.
My goal now is to reach more women BEFORE they are taken down the overdiagnosis and overtreatment rabbit hole.
I am working on two ebooks:
1.) “DCIS: The Holistic Way
2.) “MAMOPOLY: What You Need to Know Before You Roll the Pink Dice”
I want to thank everyone who has supported me along the way. Words of kindness, encouragement, and appreciation remain in my heart and motivate me to keep going.
I am equally grateful for all the many naysayers and fear-mongers over the years! I would have never been so fired up to investigate as deep as I have! Thank you for challenging me!
As I strive to improve how I communicate and empathize with all people of different mindsets, I welcome all comments and criticism.
In peace, love, gratitude, wisdom, and health,
Donna Pinto
January 19, 2025
DCIS 411 
So wonderful to celebrate this anniversary with you! My journey through the overdiagnosis mess is also around 15 years, so you and I were going through similar issues during approximately the same timeframe. I was never diagnosed with DCIS but was harrassed constantly to get a biopsy for suspected DCIS, which I refused and subsequently was told the area in question was benign based on several years of very stressful “following” of the area via mammogram. When I found your DCIS 411 site during that scary confusing time, I was so grateful and appreciative and I always will be. I can’t even express how much it meant to me and I know I’m only one of many women who found vital information through your efforts. Let’s make 2025 another year of health, happiness and above all INFORMED CONSENT for women in the area of breast cancer. And I agree, the fear mongers have served their purpose by lighting a fire under all of us to ask more questions, remain aware, and put an end to the fear based on non-science! Again, thank you so much for all you do. You are a true warrior for health and common sense in this area!
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Thank you so much for being a bright light on this journey! Your annual updates are so appreciated!! Many women in online groups are now referring to your comments over the years on this blog which provides courage and peace of mind to refuse biopsies. We are truly kindred souls! Sending you a big hug! Much love and continued health, Donna
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CONGRATULATIONS on 15 years healthy !!! and for all the work you have done to help women on a similar journey. Thank you for your constant willingness to be there for any women who wants to talk with you, and with whom you share the information you have been steadily accruing over the years.
Just incredible!!! Such dedication and drive! We are so very proud of all the work you are doing! Thank you for all the time, energy, focus, emotions, knowledge, love and caring you have poured into other women over these 15 years! We love you!
Suzanne
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Thank you so much Susie! Means a lot to have your support and encouragement over the years!! xoxo, Donna
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Congratulations on 15 years Donna! Your blog changed my life! Sending you love and light!
Blessings,
Wendy
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Hello Donna,
I was diagnosed with DCIS back in 2015. At the time, I was fortunate to have doctor connections who helped me schedule an aggressive surgery with one of the top surgeons at Stanford Hospital. However, just a few days before the appointment, I remembered something that gave me pause—seven years earlier, I had a similar “suspicious” mammogram result. For seven years, I had no idea it was even considered a potential problem. Those years had passed without any issues.
I decided to take the risk and cancel the surgery.
While I was doing my research about DCIS that month, I came across your website. It was such a relief and comfort to know there were pioneers like you who made a similar decision. You gave me the reassurance and courage I needed during that uncertain time.
Now, 10 years have passed since my diagnosis (and 17 years since my first suspicious mammogram), and I am doing fine. I want to sincerely thank you for the incredible work you do to support and empower women facing these difficult decisions.
You are making a difference.
Warmly,
Annie
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Wow, this just brought tears to my eyes. I am so so incredibly happy for you Annie….and I only hope more women learn from your story (and mine)! It takes the courage to go against a very strong and well-funded medical machine, but the truth is actually stronger, and once we know the truth, we are emboldened with peace of mind and courage! We are kindred souls united forever in truth, health, peace and love. Thank you for sharing your story, insights, and appreciation…. THIS is how we pay-it-foreward!! xoxo, Donna
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I’m so happy for the good news for both of you! Well done, ladies.
Donna, you are a very brave and very smart woman. I’m thrilled you are still healthy and even thriving.
And thanks for this website and all you do. Thanks to you and some enlightened docs, the attitude toward DCIS is changing. That has to feel good. Such good news. Very grateful to you.
I am new to your site. I was recently dx’d with atypical cells and I’m am post-menapausal with no family history and negative on a dozen or so gene mutations for BC (interestedly, my type was apparently misdiagnosed as DCIS a long time ago).
What I had, isn’t even stage 0 cancer. They terrified me, so I had surgery – no cancer found.
But they’ve still got the fear of God in me as far as high surveillance is concerned going forward. They don’t really know at all what my risk is.
May I ask how you both were monitored all these years? If at all? I’m concerned about the mammos and false positives, gad contrast (won’t do it again) and the nightmare of needless biopsies and titanium clips ….
How did you do it?
Wishing us all continued good health!
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Sorry for the delay in reply…You can red my blog post about investigating new imaging options ABUS and QT. I personally have just done regular ultrasounds after years of SonoCine automated ultrasound being normal. After Dr. Kevin Kelly retired, I did not feel like driving 3 hours to LA so I found a nice place in San Diego doing prgnancy ultrasound as well as breast. It’s not affiliated with a big hospital or breast imaging center, which I try to avoid after my negative experiences! Check this post out: https://dcis411.com/2024/01/16/breast-imaging-options-investigating-abus-and-qt/
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