DCIS — New BMJ Study Supports Active Monitoring

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:

Clickable links here: CHECKLIST 

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About Donna Pinto

After being diagnosed with DCIS in 2010, Donna transformed her personal journey into a mission of advocacy and education. She became an investigative journalist and patient advocate, later earning certification as a nutritionist. As a nonprofit founder, author, speaker, blogger, and podcaster, Donna has dedicated over 15 years to empowering women with knowledge and support. Through her website, DCIS 411, she shares insights on DCIS overdiagnosis and overtreatment, safer breast imaging alternatives, and holistic strategies for achieving optimal health—impacting thousands of women worldwide.
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