“88% of DCIS is Overtreated.” — A Breast Surgeon Explains the Evidence

Over 60,000 woman every year are diagnosed with non-invasive Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) — commonly called “stage zero” breast cancer.

Most are rushed into surgery, radiation & drugs.

Most are not informed about overdiagnosis & overtreatment.

DCIS 411 amplifies research educating women to make more informed decisions.

Listen to this 1 minute clip explaining the evidence for 88% overtreatment of DCIS (starts at min 3:35 in full video):

https://www.youtube.com/clip/Ugkxp3wjq0W6O7qOtrT00S_OEpJLx6HicS78

Screenshots from video:

Too often a DCIS diagnosis comes with scary (outdated) statistics.

Medical doctors, major cancer centers, Google and AI may say:

“Estimates of DCIS cases that will become invasive breast cancer range from 14-53 percent.”

DCIS 411 perspective:

The widely cited 2005-era estimates of DCIS progression are now challenged because they relied on small, retrospective, and often outdated datasets that treated DCIS as a single “disease,” whereas newer research shows it is biologically diverse—with many cases unlikely to become invasive—leading to a shift toward active monitoring combined with lifestyle risk reduction.

DCIS 411 integrates personal values and preferences with insights from autopsy studies, overdiagnosis research, biomarker testing, advances in imaging, and recent active monitoring studies to help women make more informed, personalized decisions.

Newer research ~~ Less Scary Statistics

“An analysis of data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program for 1286 people with treated DCIS8 showed a 10-year risk of ipsilateral invasive breast cancer of 12·2% for grade 1 or 2 DCIS and a risk of 17·6% for grade 3 DCIS.”1

“In women who did not receive initial surgery on diagnosis of DCIS, the eight year cumulative incidence of invasive cancer in the same breast was 10.7% overall and 8.5% in women with low risk DCIS.”2 

“Around 20% of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) cases may progress to invasive breast cancer or recur over a 10-20 year period.”3

“Even though approximately 5 out of 6 low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast lesions are expected to never progress to invasive breast cancer, almost all women diagnosed with DCIS undergo aggressive treatment,which may have little benefit. These people still endure the financial, physical and emotional burdens of surgery, radiation and drug therapies.”4

Yet, Rates of Bilateral Mastectomy Doubled???

“Rates of bilateral mastectomy are increasing in low-risk, hormone receptor (HR)-positive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), according to research published in JAMA Network Open.”5

DCIS 411 Helps Women Understand the Issues

DCIS FAQ: Understand Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

Understand DCIS Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment

Informed Choice is Important!

Please consider supporting our nonprofit work dedicated to educating and empowering women:

CheatSheet — Stay Healthy & Avoid DCIS (“Stage Zero Breast Cancer”) Overdiagnosis & Overtreatment

Give Wellness is a Nonprofit Project of Social Good Fund

Scan to Donate securely via PayPal

Sources 

  1. Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: finding the balance between overtreatment and undertreatment
  2. Cancer outcomes in women without upfront surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ: observational cohort study, 08 July 2025
  3. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: The Weight of the Word “Cancer” October 12, 2022, AACR
  4. Low-Risk DCIS Research Update and Resources by PRECISION Patient Advocates
  5. Rates of Bilateral Mastectomy Have Doubled in Low-Risk HR+ Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, Feb, 2026
Unknown's avatar

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.
This entry was posted in Health and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply