A new study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), July 2025, adds to growing evidence that many women with a DCIS diagnosis may want to consider an active monitoring approach.
The study followed nearly 1,800 women in the U.S. who chose not to have surgery right away after a DCIS diagnosis. Researchers wanted to see how many of these women developed invasive breast cancer and how many died from breast cancer over time. The women were followed for about 4–8 years.
Summary of Key Findings
- Low-risk DCIS: about 8 in 100 developed invasive cancer.
- Higher-risk DCIS: about 14 in 100 developed invasive cancer.
- Fewer than 2 in 100 women died from breast cancer over those 8 years.
- Overall, most women lived and did not develop invasive cancer, even without immediate surgery.

For women diagnosed with DCIS:
- Review DCIS411.com for up-to-date resources.
- Learn about overdiagnosis which leads to overtreatment.
- Download and read FREE ebook.
- Learn about imaging options and sign petition.
- Join private support group “DCIS is not breast cancer.”
- Learn about Holistic Health.

Clickable links here: CHECKLIST