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Author: 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.

Sharing the Stage with Chris Wark: A Huge Inspiration Behind DCIS 411

What a thrill! After following Chris Wark and his Chris Beat Cancer blog since 2010, I finally got to meet him in person! And even better — I had the honor of being interviewed by him on a “Thrivers Panel” alongside two incredible women, Kim Hanson and Marley Jaxx. I’m still taking it all in! […]

Join me at “Redefining Cancer: The Science of Healing” — A Two-day Live Summit Hosted by Theo Hanson and Chris Wark!

I feel blessed to be invited to share my story and insights alongside two super heroes –Chris Wark and Theo Hanson — at this amazing 2-day LIVE workshop in Boise, Idaho. Redefining Cancer: The Science of Healing Date: Apr 24-25, 2026 Low-cost virtual option to join online. Click below for more info…  Redefining Cancer:

Women in Online DCIS Support Group Say “NO” to the “C” Word, “NO” to “Standard of Care” Overtreatment, and Yes to Healthy Lifestyle — New Research Study!

A study published Jan 2026 in Sociology of Health & Illness offers insights into a growing trend — thousands of women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) have joined together in a support group specifically about a diagnosis that includes the word “carcinoma,” but thanks to newer evidence and experts calling for change, the women in the […]

In 2011, My Doctor Told Me: “Your Breast is Like Spoiled Soup… It’s Not Worth Saving.”

I Proved Her Wrong. 16 Years Post DCIS — Never “Cancer!” “Highly suspicious for malignancy,” was written on my mammography report in June 2011. NOW, my doctor told me, “It’s likely INVASIVE cancer.” “Active surveillance” had been my personal choice since a diagnosis of intermediate grade DCIS in January 2010. I declined all the “standard […]

“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 […]

Yes to QT Imaging! Yes to Safer Breast Screening! Yes to Preventing DCIS Overdiagnosis & Overtreatment! Yes to Nutrition & Holistic Wellness!

QT Imaging is the future of breast screening! It is has no radiation, no compression and no contrast dye. This technology has arrived at LongevityRx, a wonderful new “Preventative” Health Center in San Diego! I attended their Grand Opening on February 28, 2026… Listen to a short interview I did with team member Jenna…. LongevityRx […]

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

Every year I give a personal update and I try to simplify information based on the latest research, technology, and common sense! Think of the image above like a CheatSheet. It’s a one-page summary of 16 years of insights, endless hours of research, hundreds of blog posts, nutrition studies/certification, and nonprofit advocacy! To access links, […]

A Wellness CHECKLIST — for Every Woman — Every Day!

Did you know DCIS 411 is affiliated with a nonprofit called Give Wellness? Click here to join a month-long celebration of “Galentine’s Day” and download the Women’s Wellness Checklist with clickable links. Happy Galentine’s Month! xoxo Donna Pinto, Founder of Give Wellness & DCIS 411

Warning: Cancer Screening May Harm Your Health

Has your doctor warned you about potential risks and harms of cancer screening? Mine didn’t. I learned the hard way. My story is featured in an article in THE EPOCH TIMES, published January 7, 2026: What to Know Before Saying Yes to Routine Screenings: Screening can catch disease early–or turn healthy people into patients. “Donna […]

Calling all Holistic Health Advocates & Practitioners!

GIVE WELLNESS Scholarship

“Alone we can do so little — together we can do so much.”— Helen Keller Many women cannot afford life-changing health-care not covered by insurance. Give Wellness is a nonprofit organization providing resources and scholarships for women with financial hardship seeking safe breast screening and holistic wellness. During this season of giving, we invite you […]

Giving Tuesday | Support Give Wellness Scholarships & Safe Screening

GIVE WELLNESS Scholarship

Today is #GivingTuesday. Please help me help women access safer, holistic, and truly informed health options. Together, we can help women access: Why This Matters Too many women today: My nonprofit, Give Wellness, provides the education, resources, and support women need to make empowered choices—especially around radiation-free screening and holistic wellness. But as demand grows, […]

Donna’s 16 Year Update — Smashing Myths, Advocating for Change & My Nonprofit Mission

Despite being told, “Your breast is like spoiled soup; it isn’t worth saving,” I declined all further “standard of care” treatment recommendations in 2011. I said good-bye forever to fear-mongering doctors and forged my own path to health and well-being. It’s now 16 years later. I never developed invasive cancer. I became a passionate advocate […]

Is DCIS Cancer? Rethinking the “Carcinoma” in Stage Zero Breast Cancer

DCIS Pathology

Women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) have been told they have “stage zero breast cancer”, creating fear and urgency to treat it aggressively. But a growing body of research challenges whether DCIS should even be called cancer in the first place.

Questioning DCIS Over-treatment — Janet Gola Shares Her Story with Donna Pinto

From questioning doctors and “standard of care” treatments, Janet describes the emotional toll she went through with what felt like bullying, fear, excessive treatments, PTSD and lack of support. With an initial diagnosis of low-intermediate grade DCIS in 1999, and a subsequent DCIS diagnosis in 2012, Janet ultimately underwent a mastectomy due to pressures from […]

Announcing My New eBook!! Opting Out… Is an Informed Choice: Experts Explain the Harms of Mammograms

On this meaningful date 4-11, I am thrilled to finally publish the first edition of my eBook, a project which began over 15 years ago when I started researching this topic! This is my gift to you — my supporters — and all women everywhere. Please click on the cover image to download the eBook […]

Cheers to 15 years — NEVER Cancer! 

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 […]

Mammograms… Are Women Given Informed Consent?

I think we can all agree, when it comes to our health, we would prefer clear information on risks and benefits vs being oversold. But, when it comes to mammograms, most women do not even realize they have NOT been given informed consent. Many say they feel encouraged, pressured, and even coerced into scheduling a […]

Bravo Elle Macpherson! An Opportunity to Discuss and Educate Doctors, the Media, and the Public about DCIS and Holistic Health!

After a day of hiking to Machu Picchu in Peru, I received a text from a friend with a screenshot of a familiar face — Dr. Laura Esserman, Director of the Breast Care Center at UCSF. She was being interviewed on the news. The headline read ELLE MACPHERSON REVEALS CANCER BATTLE. My friend texted: “DCIS […]

Tribute to Dr. Michael Lagios, renowned DCIS pathologist

I just found out Dr. Michael Lagios, a true legend in the field of #DCIS pathology/research, passed away on April 7, 2024. While I did not agree with everything Dr. Lagios told me when I consulted with him in Nov 2011, it was evident to me he had a sincere desire to help women make […]

Guided by the Light

(Photo taken in Kauai, Aug 2023 by Glenn Pinto) And she was guided by the light Cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night Guided by the light She got down, but she stayed forever in the light  Yes she’s surely made it all right. -Adapted from Blinded by the Light, Bruce Springsteen In 2010, my […]

Presidential Proclamation on Healthy Life Habits for Cancer Prevention

An official Presidential Proclamation declaring April 2024 as the inaugural National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month states: “Healthy life habits — like maintaining a healthy body weight and reducing exposure to tobacco smoke — can prevent certain cancers, so we are working to help all Americans get and stay healthy. Our National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, […]

Lumpectomy’s Little Secret: Women Uninformed about High Re-Excision Rates & Mastectomies for DCIS

Women are often told lumpectomy is an easy surgery. One and done. Yet… more often than not, this is NOT the case. In fact, studies report up to 70% of the time, a 2nd surgery is needed due to “positive margins” for DCIS. It happened to me in 2011. After a DCIS diagnosis in January […]

My HEALTH Wake Up Call — A PODCAST Sharing Personal Stories

I have been contemplating creating this podcast as well as educational videos and a documentary for years. The intention is to give voice to people who have personal stories of a HEALTH WAKE-UP CALL.  I’m kicking off Episode 1 on this symbolic day with my personal story (see video at bottom of this post).  It […]

Breast Imaging Options — A Patient Advocate Investigates ABUS and QT

Disclaimer: I am a woman’s health advocate and investigative journalist. I am not a medical doctor and this information is not medical advice. Much of it falls outside of radiology and surgical oncology guidelines, recommendations, and “standard of care.” *Please consult your own health practitioners (hopefully including integrative, functional or naturopathic!) and do further research. […]

On a Mission to Help Women Avoid Harms of Mammography Screening — Donna Pinto Shares Her Story with Dr. Jenn Simmons — Breast Surgeon Turned Functional Medicine Doctor

Thanks to Dr. Jenn Simmons for inviting me on her podcast. My story is one story among tens of thousands of women harmed every year. Please watch this video and share with your women friends and family… You can also listen via podcast here. When we know better, we do better. #BeW I S E is a […]

Stage 0 DCIS Saga — Guest Blog by Lynn Good

Thank you for this blog; it has been a great help to me. My family doctor pressed me to get a mammogram a couple of months ago. I am 70 years old and had had a mammogram 16 months before. There is no history of breast cancer in my family. After the mammogram, the radiology […]

No Surgery for DCIS — Studies and Support

Research shows that at least 3 out of 4 women (75%) with DCIS that is not treated will not get a future invasive breast cancer. PLS for “Genomic analysis defines clonal relationships of ductal carcinoma in situ and recurrent invasive breast cancer.” Cancer Outcomes in DCIS Patients Without Locoregional Treatment Results A total of 1286 […]

Great News about SonoCine Automated Breast Ultrasound — A Message from Dr. Kevin Kelly

Many of us have wondered — who will replace Dr. Kevin Kelly when he officially retires? I am happy to share this message I received from Dr. Kelly’s office via email this week… To My Dear Patients, As you know, my medical practice has been devoted to early detection of small, easily treatable breast cancers […]

DCIS is NOT Breast Cancer — An Online Support Group Leading a Paradigm Shift

A paradigm shift is defined as “an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different way.”

DCIS – Is Not Breast Cancer! — an online support group created in 2020 — has quickly attracted over 1.5k women with approximately 25 new requests to join each week.

The Case for NO TREATMENT of Low-risk DCIS 

“Many DCIS lesions will never progress to IBC during the patient’s lifetime [3]. Biopsy review studies of patients where DCIS was initially misdiagnosed as benign and thus not treated after biopsy suggest that up to 85% of all DCIS will never progress into IBC [3,4,5,6]. Consequently, there is a growing concern about possible overtreatment for […]

Overdiagnosis – “That’s Not Even a Word”

I remember in 2012, when I first came across the term “overdiagnosis,” I told my dad that I felt this is what had happened to me. His reply to me was: “Donna that’s not even a word.” I said, “Dad, this is an actual thing — I didn’t make it up.” I tried to explain… A […]

Lions, Tigers and Fears — the Cultural Problem of DCIS

“There’s a hysteria around breast cancer. The extremism that sometimes comes into play in DCIS treatment decision making is a ‘cultural problem.’ This is not a life-threatening problem.”   – Dr. Anne Partridge, MD, MPH, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Shock + Scary Statistics + What ifs + Treatment Controversies + Confusion + Uncertainty + FEAR Is all […]

Reflections on My 12 Year DCIS Anniversary…

On this day, January 19, 2010 — 12 years ago — I was given a diagnosis that brought my happy life to a screeching halt. I had never heard of DCIS before, but from the moment a nurse told me about the aggressive treatment protocols, I knew something was not right. I read an article […]

In 2011, My Doctor Told Me: “Your Breast is Like Spoiled Soup… It’s Not Worth Saving.”

I Proved Her Wrong. (My 2023 Update by Donna Pinto) “Highly suspicious for malignancy,” was written on my mammography report in June 2011. “The pre-cancerous cells might now be INVASIVE CANCER,” my doctor said. I had spent the last 18 months religiously implementing holistic diet and lifestyle strategies since a diagnosis of intermediate grade ductal […]

Sherri’s “Mind/Body” Journey — Inspiration for Women Seeking Alternatives for DCIS and Breast Cancer — Guest Blog

My Journey from Invasive Triple Negative Breast Cancer by Sherri Shilcrat GET ACTIVE IN YOUR OWN RESCUE  In July 2009 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I always love to be in control which is why I argued back and forth with the doctor informing me of that.  I felt he was wrong, but finally […]

Breast Imaging Options and Anti-Cancer Diet / Lifestyle

Ultrasound vs Mammogram Discussion on Good Morning America: Identical twin sisters — both had clear mammograms — yet both had INVASIVE cancers that were found on ULTRASOUND. INVASIVE cancers were missed on their mammograms!! A 2009 Study showed ULTRASOUND found 97% of cancers vs 76% found on mammograms. Watch video: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/video/embed/73446936 “The mammogram did not […]

“When is Cancer Not Really Cancer?” — Update from PRECISION (PREvent ductal Carcinoma In Situ Invasive Overtreatment Now)

“PRECISION aims to enable patients and clinicians to make informed, biology-based decisions to avoid unnecessary and burdensome treatment of indolent DCIS. The answer can only be found by synergistic collaboration between leading scientists, clinicians and patient advocates. There is a wide spectrum of DCIS ranging from low to high risk. “Low-risk” means it is more […]

Mis-Diagnosed with DCIS at Age 26 and 38 Weeks Pregnant: How Intuition, Non-stop Research and a 2nd Pathology Opinion Changed My Life

My gut and intuition told me to research my head off and to understand what’s going on. I learned very fast that just because you have a “low grade” “stage zero” breast cancer that doesn’t mean the treatment is less than any other INVASIVE breast cancer.

DCIS & Cryoablation? Guest Blog

My Croablation Journey by Christine B. I was diagnosed with DCIS stage 0 grade 2 June 2017. I was immediately turned over to a surgeon who strongly suggested a lumpectomy, radiation, and a hormone blocker. Better yet a mastectomy due to my small breasts. I had never heard of DCIS until I was diagnosed! So […]

“It’s a Way of Living” — Donna’s Checklist

Grateful for the interview today with Deb Hackenberry, facilitator of SHARE’s DCIS online support group… Deb: “If there was one thing you would want women to take away from your DCIS experience and 10+ years of research, what would that be?” Donna:  “It’s not one thing… It’s a way of living… and it’s all included […]

Interview with Donna TODAY!

Women with DCIS can join facilitator Deb Hackenberry, Donna Pinto, and peers via video or phone to discuss “An Alternative DCIS Journey.” Donna Pinto is the Founder of DCIS 411. In 2010, Donna was diagnosed with intermediate grade DCIS. Based on her research, Donna decided to take a more personalized, holistic-oriented approach to DCIS and cancer risk reduction. Through her blog, […]

The Food Elevator = Love in Action

Covid-19 is especially hard on Venezuelan immigrants — many who have walked to Colombia and are now living on the streets. They are literally starving. Due to a mandatory curfew, a group of caring Colombians are now offering sandwiches and snacks made with love delivered via a “food elevator” from their apartment balcony. The technique […]

Groceries + Love = Global Healing

“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” ― Rumi In 2010, I was diagnosed with DCIS and my friend Adriana helped me in a priceless way. She counseled me away from FEAR and guided me in practical ways towards peace, love, […]

DCIS & COVID-19: How to Decrease Anxiety

Women recently diagnosed with DCIS can do more than just wait. A test is available NOW to learn if the DCIS cells from a biopsy are “low-risk” or “elevated risk.” Why wait and do nothing when you can do something to decrease anxiety NOW!  Below is information posted by PreludeDx, the company that tests YOUR […]

Nutrition 411: Donna’s Inspiration, Recipes & Links

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” – Hippocrates   A Health Warrior is Born On January 19, 2010, I was diagnosed with DCIS. I was 44 and had two young children. Hearing the word “carcinoma” was terrifying. Hearing the aggressive treatments was equally terrifying — and nothing made any sense to me. Despite being […]

DCIS Over-Diagnosis & Over-Treatment: New Facebook Group

Patients, researchers, advocates, journalists and organizations need to work together to understand and communicate better about this serious women’s health issue! Please join a new Facebook Group: DCIS Over-diagnosis and Over-treatment A forum for information, discussion, support, research, education, awareness and advocacy focused on DCIS over-diagnosis and over-treatment.

Breast Cancer “Overdiagnosis” Study Seeks Women for Interviews

Fact Sheet: What is Breast Cancer Overdiagnosis? Our team at the Sydney School of Public Health, Australia, is carrying out a research study to explore women’s awareness of the term ‘overdiagnosis’. We are interested in talking with women anywhere in the world who: Have been diagnosed with breast cancer, following breast screening Had no breast […]

The Value of Recording Physician Consultations

Recording consultations with physicians is extremely valuable, especially with regards to obtaining results of screening or diagnostic tests, biopsies, surgeries, or discussions about future cancer risks, or potential treatments. Recording the consultation enables: ability to glean important information missed or not comprehended due to information overload, shock, language or hearing issues, etc. ability to share […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 31 — Trick or Truth?

“Galileo’s head was on the block. His crime was looking up the truth.” – Indigo Girls Did you know… Clever TRICKS are used to manipulate the TRUTH about mammography screening. The TRICKS are explained in a Time Magazine article, This One Graphic Will Change the Way You Look at Breast Cancer Screening written by Gerd […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 30 — NO “Survival” Benefit of Aggressive Treatments for DCIS — Women Not Informed

Did you know… Women diagnosed with DCIS, also known as “stage ZERO” breast cancer, are often rushed into extremely aggressive treatments (surgery, radiation and drugs) that actually have no survival benefit… yet this information is often not told to them. Instead women are given confusing “risk reduction” statistics with each of the “standard of care” […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 29 — Women are Not Fully Informed about Risks of Breast Implants

Did you know… The FDA wants a stronger warning on breast implants about risks. Over 400 breast-implant recipients have developed a rare blood cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and a dozen women have died. Allergan, based in Dublin, Ireland, said it has agreed to remove its Biocell textured implants from the market after […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 28 — Risks of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy! New Study Shows NO Benefit for DCIS

Did you know… Despite experts not recommending sentinel lymph node biopsies, between 17% and 40% of women with DCIS currently undergo this unnecessary procedure that comes with serious side effects. Risks of sentinel lymph node biopsies: Pain, wound infection, and lymphedema, a painful condition that can restrict a woman’s arm movements. Patient advocate Ann Fonfa, […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 27 — Grade “F” in DCIS Communication

Did you know… Some health-care providers get an “F” in communication. Celebrity chef Sandra Lee said her doctors told her DCIS was a “ticking time bomb.” In January, 2010, when I brought an article, Take Carcinoma Out of DCIS and Ease Off Treatment, to show a breast surgeon about my preference for “active surveillance” of […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 26 — FEAR-MONGERING

Did you know… Fear-mongering is defined as the action of deliberately arousing public fear or alarm about a particular issue. Thanks to Dr Kenny Lin for his blog post in Common Sense Family Doctor : Fear-mongering in thyroid and breast cancer screening “From the 1980s-era American Cancer Society print advertisement that lectured women, “If you […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 25 — Unbiased 2nd PATHOLOGY opinion is a MUST

Did you know… Aggressive treatments for DCIS are based on pathology — and 25% may be wrong. This happened to me. I had several opinions and 3 different pathology reports. My gut told me something was not right and I needed to keep investigating. Luckily I was referred to expert pathologist, Dr. Michael Lagios. He […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 24 — The Word “Cancer” is Scary & Misleading for DCIS

Did you know… Several breast cancer experts over the last 10+ years have questioned whether the word “carcinoma” should be removed from DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ). “Because of the noninvasive nature of DCIS, coupled with its favorable prognosis, strong consideration should be given to remove the anxiety-producing term “carcinoma” from the description of DCIS.” […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 23 — Double Mastectomies for DCIS?

Did you know… “Many women who have DCIS are choosing not to just to get a mastectomy, but to get a bilateral mastectomy and have both breasts removed.” – Otis Brawley, NPR “More women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are choosing to add contralateral prophylactic mastectomy to their treatment, despite the paucity of evidence […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 22 — Screening Doesn’t Save Lives

Did you know… Professor Peter C Gøtzsche shared on Twitter today: “Pink month lies: “Early detection saves lives and breasts.” It doesn’t, and because of overdiagnosis you will reduce your risk of becoming a breast cancer patient by one-third if you ignore summons for mammography screening.” Be sure to watch this important video in its […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 21 — Biased Guidelines & Marketing

Did you know… Women can not possibly make an informed decision when they are bombarded with slick marketing campaigns from groups with “specialty bias.” In Professional Societies Should Abstain From Authorship of Guidelines and Disease Definition Statements: “Hundreds and thousands of designated guideline coauthors share in the society-wide power game across a large portfolio of […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 20 — Misleading Statistics

Did you know… Statistics are often used for breast cancer screenings and treatments that mislead the public into thinking the benefit is way better than it actually is. “We often hear news reports that something has been found to reduce the risk of breast cancer, or reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer. These […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 19 — Celebrities & Mammography Advice

Did you know…. #1. Companies use celebrities to aggressively market 3D mammograms, although there’s no evidence they save lives. In July 2016, Health News Review wrote: Sheryl Crow hawks 3D mammograms with fear and false hope “It may not be her favorite mistake, but it was a mistake nonetheless for the singer and breast cancer […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 18 — Fear vs Facts

Did you know… Your breasts might kill you? That’s the message put forth by the video below… urging women to get a mammogram every year starting at 40. Where is the information about the risks, harms and limitations of mammography? Be WISE information and videos helps women understand potential harms of breast cancer screening. Donna […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 17 — Radical Remission

Did you know… Over 1500 cases of “radical remission” have been analyzed and documented by Dr. Kelly Turner, author of New York Times bestseller, Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds. “Radical remission” is a term that refers to remission that occurs either without conventional medical treatment, after conventional treatment has failed to work, or […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 16 — Dairy May Increase Breast Cancer Mortality Risk

Did you know… Studies have linked dairy products to an increased risk of breast cancer mortality. “Dairy cheese contains reproductive hormones that may increase breast cancer mortality risk.” That’s the warning label the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine—a nonprofit with more than 12,000 doctor members—is petitioning the Food and Drug Administration to require cheese manufacturers […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 15 — Toxic “Forever Chemicals” in Pink Post-It Notes May Increase Breast Cancer Risk

Did you know… PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down, and evidence shows that even very low levels of PFAS exposure is not safe for human health. Please consider joining Breast Cancer Action in their campaign to call out corporate giant 3M for pinkwashing while continuing to produce and use toxic PFAS. 3M says their […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 14 — Some Doctors are Paid $$$ for Persuading Women to Get Screening Mammograms

Did you know… Some doctors are given cash bonuses for persuading women to get screening mammograms. One ethical doctor published a paper in the British Medical Journal, April 3, 2019: Helen Salisbury: Should I persuade patients to have mammograms? “Our practice has recently been invited by the local clinical commissioning group to take part in […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 13 — Autopsy Studies Find High % of DCIS

Did you know… A review of autopsy records showed that somewhere between 9% and 15% of women have undetected DCIS at death (Welch, 1997). This supports the idea that a proportion of DCIS occurrences will not progress into invasive cancer or become life-threatening. National Breast Cancer Coalition Conclusion: “Our systematic review in ten countries over […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 12 — Switzerland Review Board Recommended Abolishing Mammography Screening

Did you know… Switzerland was advised to Phase Out Mammography Screening The Swiss Medical Board released a report of its findings in 2014 and concluded: no new systematic screening mammography programs should be introduced, all forms of mammography screening must be evaluated for quality, women must be given clear and balanced information on the benefits […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 11 — It’s Ok to Opt Out of Mammograms

Did you know… It’s Ok to Opt Out of Mammograms. In this must-read article, science writer, Christie Aschwanden lists key points (see below) of some of the “little known” harms of screening. She encourages women to review a chart on “Benefits and Harms of Screening Mammography.” Key points from article: While 61 percent of women […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 10 — UNACCEPTABLE Rates of Failed Surgeries & When to Say “NO MORE”

Did you know… The percentage of women who need a 2nd or 3rd surgery after a lumpectomy, (also called breast conserving surgery (BCS) or partial mastectomy) is alarmingly high — especially for DCIS (stage ZERO breast cancer).  One study showed 48% to 59%. I wrote The Insanity of DCIS Surgery after a 2nd surgery in Oct […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 9 — Too Many Unnecessary Biopsies

Did you know… 1.6 million breast biopsies are performed each year in the US, and approximately 80% are found to be benign. Why so many biopsies?  Fear of malpractice influences radiologists to order a biopsy of “anything and everything that shows up on the mammogram.” – The Untold Message of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, by […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 8 — Overdiagnosis Devastates Lives

Did you know… Overdiagnosis of DCIS Devastates the Lives of Tens of Thousands of Healthy Women Every Year. In this country, the huge jump in D.C.I.S. diagnoses potentially transforms some 50,000 healthy people a year into “cancer survivors” and contributes to the larger sense that breast cancer is “everywhere,” happening to “everyone.” That, in turn, […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 7 — “Peach Ribbons Not Pink”

Did you know… The original “Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon” (B.C.A.R.) was peach. It was created by a woman named Charlotte Haley as a grassroots call to action for prevention and greater accountability. But…Charlotte’s peach ribbon got hijacked. The story is featured in the 2 minute trailer of the documentary Pink Ribbons, Inc. “If people actually […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 6 — Pinkwashing 101

Did you know… The definition of Pinkwasher: A company or organization that claims to care about breast cancer by promoting a pink ribbon product, but at the same time produces, manufactures and/or sells products that are linked to the disease. Breast Cancer Action, coined the term pinkwashing and created a Think Before You Pink® campaign.  […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 5 — Lifestyle Medicine

Did you know… More than 70,000 breast cancer cases a year—40% of all cases—could be prevented with lifestyle measures. – American Institute for Cancer Research Food is a powerful, yet largely untapped resource for disease prevention. Many Diseases Are Preventable Science shows many foods can prevent, halt or even reverse cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 4 — Spinning Statistics

Did you know… Statistics about breast cancer screening can be confusing and misleading. Women may hear… “Regular mammograms reduce breast cancer deaths by 20%.” Sounds pretty good… But how many lives do they really save? Only 1 in 1,000! Here is an excellent short video explaining this: To receive an email alert with future posts: […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 3 — $$$ for Metastasis

Today is dedicated to my dear friend Sandie Walters (*see below) Did you know… Despite billions raised for awareness and early detection… “There is no actual decrease in the number of women and men dying from breast cancer each year. It’s still holding steady at about 40,000. To put it another way, 110 Americans will […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 2 — Dense Breast Tissue

Did you know… “Between 30% and 50% of cancers identified in women who undergo screening mammography are not detected by mammography.” – Dr. Christiane Kuhl, University of Aachen, Germany. Sadly Nancy Cappello’s invasive cancer was missed by mammograms. She founded a nonprofit organization, Are You Dense, to alert women about dense breast tissue masking invasive […]

31 Days of “Little Known” FACTS — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Day 1 — Mammograms

Did you know… One of the largest studies ever on mammograms indicated they do not reduce cancer deaths. Listen to this short video with Dr. Joann Elmore, an expert in mammography… “This study adds to an accumulation of data… Multiple large studies.” “We’re not seeing the benefit from mammography that we had hoped.” “The more […]

The Importance of Being Informed, Treated with Compassion, and Advocating for Active Surveillance — Nancy Riopel’s Enlightening DCIS Story

“Please, if you take one thing from my experience, consider the importance of being informed and being willing to advocate for the treatment options that you feel are best for you. I am not DCIS, I am not a ‘tumor’ and I am not just a ‘patient’. I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, […]

Women’s Wellness Retreat

This retreat is funded in part by donations to DCIS 411 and give wellness. Thank you to all who have supported and continue to support these nonprofit projects. Plant-based food and wellness activities are complementary to all retreat guests. See agenda above by clicking on it. Sample plant-based food recipes are here. Retreat will take […]

DCIS Support — Find Your Tribe on Facebook!

There are five distinctly different “DCIS support groups” on Facebook. Some have strict rules. Differing viewpoints have led to heated debates and frustrations. Hopefully everyone can find a support tribe they most align with. Some may feel they benefit from joining more than one group. Below are perspectives and descriptions of  differing DCIS Facebook “support […]

NO Informed Consent — Harmed by 5 Titanium Clips in Breast — DCIS Patient Shares Her Story and Advocacy

by Lisa Nash (Presented at the State House in Boston to Senators and legislative staff): Hello, my name is Lisa Nash and I am here to speak with you about An Act Promoting Patient Engagement in Health Care Decisions. I have personally had an experience where I was uninformed about my options and suffered serious […]

Donna’s 9 Year Update — Top 3 Questions, Lessons Learned, and 2019 Projects

If not for photos with my children… I would not believe it’s been nine years since my journey with DCIS began. TOP 3 QUESTIONS I AM OFTEN ASKED 1. Did I ever have a recurrence of DCIS or invasive cancer?    NO! Donna’s Journey starting at Part 2 — June 2011 details my experience with […]

Thankful for PCORI & Patient-Centered Research

I recently had the opportunity to attend the annual meeting of  PCORI — Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Three days of presentations and panel discussions all focused on one recurring theme: Patient voices, preferences, values, experiences, and outcomes matter. I felt like I was in patient advocate heaven. Suzannah Fox, former Chief Technology Officer of the […]

What is “Low-risk” DCIS & Why is The COMET Study Urgently Needed?

The COMET Study is the nation’s first prospective, randomized clinical trial aimed at resolving an ongoing debate about the best way to manage “low-risk” DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ), also known as “stage zero” breast cancer. “This is a trial whose time has come. Many of us have felt for two decades that this study […]

A New Bio-marker Test for DCIS = Peace of Mind for Thousands of Women

If you are one of the 60,000 + women diagnosed with DCIS this year, you now have a way to gain more peace of mind about what to think and do about it. A company called PreludeDx has scientifically validated a bio-marker test which evaluates a woman’s breast tissue sample and provides a “personalized” risk […]

DCIS — Beyond “One-Size Fits-All”

Today, women newly diagnosed with DCIS have more support, options, and resources than ever before. Below are eight ways to help you create an “individualized” and empowered plan-of-action… #1.  CONFIRM YOUR PATHOLOGY Dr. David J Dabbs, Prelude Dx Second Opinion Service Dr. Jean Simpson #2.  ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO ORDER A BIOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT TEST […]

Evaluating DCIS treatments — do you know your “survival” statistics?

“There is strong evidence that treatment of DCIS in most women has no clear effect on mortality reduction.” – Finding the balance between over- and under-treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) “Risk of development of metastases and/or death in a patient diagnosed with pure DCIS is very low (<1%).” Ductal Carcinoma-In-Situ of the Breast […]

Namaste — My 4-11 Blessing to All

Today is 4-11 — a perfect day for a quick check-in… and “namaste” blessing to all! On April 1, I celebrated my birthday with a visit to the Self Realization Fellowship Mediation Gardens in Encinitas. I said a prayer of gratitude and wished for everyone to have the blessings of  love, truth, light, (health) and […]

Keeping Patient Perspectives at the Forefront of DCIS Research

Patient Advocates from across the US and around the world came together to share insights about DCIS at the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The COMET Study Patient Leadership Team presented “Changing the DCIS Conversation: Development of an Alternative Discourse by Patient Advocate Stakeholders in the COMET Study.” Advocates from the US, UK and the Netherlands […]

Active Surveillance P L U S (Proactive – Lifestyle – Understanding – Support) — Donna’s Vision

“Active surveillance” of a “potential cancerous condition” through periodic medical imaging in itself can be extremely stressful — and the anxiety, worry, and fear of cancer developing or progressing may not go away as time goes on.    Active Surveillance P L U S is my vision. It is a holistic approach to cancer prevention, […]

Aggressive Treatments for DCIS — or NOT? New Research Sheds Light

I hope every woman diagnosed with low-risk DCIS today knows they have a great opportunity that did not exist for me (and thousands others) in the past.

I feel an incredible sense of gratitude to all the forces and people that have made the COMET Study possible — to the physicians and cancer centers who are making it available — and to the women who will participate. Thank you!

Bye-Bye Mammograms: Hello SonoCiné Ultrasound

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein As more and more studies reveal the sad truth about mammograms, many women are left wondering what to do. We all want better, safer and more conclusive ways to find tiny invasive breast cancers while also avoiding cumulative radiation harms, false scares, […]

DCIS Decision-Making — What Makes Us Different?

Why is it that a majority of women diagnosed with DCIS choose the path of “standard” aggressive treatment (mastectomy or lumpectomy plus weeks of radiation and years of “prevention” drugs), while a small minority say “NO WAY — this is OVER-TREATMENT?” Is it fear of invasive breast cancer and potential early death? Is it a […]

Donna’s Official “Better-than-Awareness” Checklist

“Breast cancer is a dominant fear for many women. Fortunately, it’s also largely a preventable disease with the right diet and a healthy lifestyle. Contrary to what most people hope for, early detection by mammography causes more harm than good. Radical surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are brutal remedies universally prescribed to women with breast cancer, […]

The Downside of Mammograms – What Your Doctor May Not Be Telling You

Peter Gotzsche, M.D., author of Mammography Screening: Truth, Lies and Controversy, states, “Screening saves probably one life for every 2,000 women who go for a mammogram. But it harms 10 others. Cancerous cells that will go away or never progress to disease in the woman’s lifetime are excised with surgery and sometimes (six times in 10) […]

Donna’s Story Featured in Women’s Health Magazine

Click here to read: ‘Why I Refused to Get Treatment When I Was Diagnosed with Breast Cancer’ “Everyone has the association that cancer is a death sentence.” “You’re backed into a corner because of unknowns. My doctor said, ‘Don’t be stupid. Just do radiation at least.’ They called me stupid. But why would anybody have […]

On the Radio — Donna on “High Energy Health”

It was an honor to share my story and passion with Dawson Church on his radio show “High Energy Health.” To listen, click here and scroll down to 9/8/2016 Donna Pinto – Give Wellness. Alternatively, click here for direct link to the mp3. Thanks for listening!! 🙂 Donna Dawson Church, PhD, Founder of the National Institute for […]

Esserman & Hwang: TIME’s Top 100 — (And My Top 10!)

What a major milestone this is! Laura Esserman and Shelley Hwang — named to the 2016 TIME 100 Most Influential People in the World! Why are These Doctors in My Top 10? From the day I received a DCIS diagnosis and I was told of the very drastic and aggressive treatments, I began to investigate what intuitively […]

Inspired to Give Back

Give Wellness is my new nonprofit venture. This project is inspired by all that I have learned since being diagnosed with DCIS in 2010. The mission of Give Wellness is to give Free Wellness Workshops and Scholarships to under-served schools, individuals and groups. Programs include: HEALTHY Happy Hour Workshop:   Participants learn tips and tricks for making easy, nutritious […]

DCIS Over-treatment Makes Mainstream News — 2015 Highlights

The media madness began in August 2015 following the publication of the most extensive study to date on DCIS in the prestigious medical Journal JAMA Oncology. The study of over 100,000 women concluded there was no “life-saving” benefit to “standard protocol” for DCIS (surgery, radiation and drugs).  “The analysis reinforces a growing belief that current treatment […]

Women Empowering Women — Shifting the Paradigm

A phenomenal thing happens when women become educated and empowered. Inspiration. Motivation. Passion. Connection. Action. This is the fuel igniting a paradigm shift in women’s health. Women sharing their personal experiences. Their concerns and fears. Their desire for truth and justice. Their vision for health-care without harm. Empowering one another to listen to that small […]

Video of Donna’s Journey: 2009 – 2015

It’s been 6 years. Click on this link to watch a video summarizing my journey. In addition to empowering women diagnosed with DCIS, I recently created a nonprofit with the mission to empower women to #LiveWELL and #BeWISE. Please check out: Give Wellness. Thank you for your love and support!

Why the “Standard of Care” Must Change

Despite clear evidence from the most extensive study to date on DCIS — that there is no benefit to surgery, radiation and drugs (“standard of care” treatment for DCIS) — and despite significant harms of these treatments — doctors will most likely not be making any protocol changes. During a KPBS interview, Dr Reema Batra, stated the “standard […]

ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE — DO YOU WISH YOU WOULD HAVE HAD THIS AS A TREATMENT OPTION?

Some doctors are studying whether Active Surveillance (following you closely and not operating on you unless you get cancer) may be a good alternative to surgery for DCIS.  Do you wish you were offered Active Surveillance as a treatment option after being diagnosed with DCIS from a biopsy? If you had the same diagnosis today and […]

DCIS is NOT a “Ticking Time Bomb” — What Women Really Need to Know

Celebrity chef Sandra Lee was told by her doctors she was “a ticking time bomb.” Is it any wonder that she and thousands of women like her are racing to the operating room to amputate both their breasts? Why such radical treatment for DCIS? “Right now, we have women getting bilateral mastectomies for ductal carcinoma […]

Interview with Donna: The Dilemma of Overdiagnosis

Click here to listen to a very important discussion/interview regarding my experiences with DCIS, the problem with mammograms and the “Dilemma of Over-diagnosis.” Thank you Connie Bowman for shining the light on this very important topic on your podcast “HAPPY HEALTHY YOU”!

Radio Interview with Donna Pinto: “Listening to Your Inner Guidance”

Have a listen to my interview today with Kathleen O’Keefe-Kanavos (Kat), author of “Surviving Cancerland: Intuitive Aspects of Healing.”  Click here. Check out Kat’s  website here.

Listen to My Phone Consultation with Dr. Michael Lagios

It was November 3, 2011 when I had a phone consultation with Dr. Michael D. Lagios, a nationally recognized breast pathologist and medical director of The Breast Cancer Consultation Service. As I wrote about in “Donna’s Journey,” the information I learned from Dr. Lagios gave me tremendous peace of mind (being that he downgraded the DCIS removed […]

DCIS is NOT Cancer!

“DCIS is not cancer, so why are we calling it cancer and always treating it like it is cancer?” These are the words of Dr. Laura Esserman, Director of the Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center at the University of California, San Francisco. She posed this question while speaking at the Australian Breast Cancer Conference […]

My 2 Hour Consultation with Dr. Gordon Saxe, Center for Integrative Medicine, UCSD

After reading this short description about Dr. Saxe, I got excited…  Preventive and Natural Medicine Counseling (Nutrition, Supplements, Herbs); Integrative Oncology (specializing in Breast & Prostate Cancers) So, I clicked to learn more… Dr. Gordon Saxe is the Director of Research, a preventive and integrative medicine physician, a founding member of the UCSD Center for […]

2014 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 37,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 14 sold-out performances for that many […]

“Beware Pink Fuzzy Dice” — Radio Interview with Donna Pinto

I was interviewed today on “Freedom For All” radio show:  http://lnkd.in/b5KSZVx Thanks to Jim and Jennifer Ellis for shining the light….the TRUTH shall set us FREE from Mammograms and Pink Fuzzy Dice! Also, be sure to check out my article and send to all the women you know and love: Less Pink – More GREEN: An Intelligent […]

Active Surveillance Anyone?

Looking for women who are doing “active surveillance” of possible DCIS based on suspicious calcifications from a mammogram. My friend and co-founder of http://www.dcisredefined.org Sandie Walters and I have recently been contacted by someone from an online “cancer” magazine who is looking to interview women who are doing active surveillance of suspicious breast calcifications. Please contact […]

My Latest MRI Results…

“Normal findings. Nothing suspicious. No evidence of DCIS.” – Dr. Richard Reitherman, Medical Director of Breast imaging, Memorial Care Breast Center, Laguna Hills, CA — Feb. 3, 2014 How many Medical Directors are gracious enough to give out their direct cell # and actually answer the phone to discuss MRI results with patients? Praise for […]

Great Gratitude & Great “Finds”

As 2013 comes to a close, I want to express my heart-felt gratitude for all of the wonderful women who have contributed their wisdom, support, resources and personal stories on this site. Four years ago, I felt like I was completely alone in my relentless questioning of the “standard of care” regarding DCIS.  Yet I […]

Nail polish — a highly toxic solvent!

Throw out your nail polish and nail polish remover! It’s a common source of potent xenohormones which are highly toxic! “One of the most insidious routes of solvent exposure and toxicity is through fingernail polish and fingernail polish remover. Some of the immediate effects of exposure to solvents include central nervous system (CNS) depression (which […]

Super Simple Spectacular Sprouts!

“Sprouts — and soaked nuts and seeds — are alkalizing, life-generating, revitalizing, high energy foods. Full of vitamins, minerals, and complete proteins, sprouts are just about the best food you can eat. They are living plant foods that are biogenic — meaning they can transfer their life energy to you! Seeds become more alkaline as […]

The Blessings of DCIS

It’s been nearly four years since my journey with DCIS began. And while the beginning seemed to be a total nightmare — filled with extreme stress, overwhelm, confusion and fear  —  I now see the many blessings that this crazy DCIS has brought to my life… and to others. Here are just 3… 1.) DCIS fueled […]

Less Pink – More GREEN: An Intelligent and Urgent Makeover for “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”

by Donna B. Pinto Pinktober is in full swing. Many of us (including me) have eagerly written checks to show support “for the cure.” But what if all the highly successful pink “awareness” campaigns have been focusing time, money and research in the wrong direction? What if “early detection” and screening mammograms don’t really save lives, but actually harm lives? According to Overdiagnosed: Making People […]

The REAL CURE for __________

It’s not in a pill. It isn’t making the headlines. And it’s not simply a plant-based diet, exercise and all the right hormones and supplements.                                                   So what is it?  In […]

DETOX DETOX DETOX

What is it?     Why is it important?     and   How do I do it?   What?   Detox, short for detoxification, is the purification of the body by removing toxins. Why?    Detoxification is an important first step in healing, preventing or eliminating illness. It will also boost energy and help with losing […]

MRI is Better than Mammography for “Early Detection”

A study by researchers at the University of Bonn has shown that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more accurate than mammography in diagnosing very early stages of breast cancer. A total of 7319 women were investigated by Professor Kuhl and her colleagues over five years using both methods. In 167 of them they found early […]

How to Feel Better and Better…No Matter What!

The mind is a funny thing. It has enormous power to create total wellness as well as perpetuate all kinds of dis-ease. The amazing thing is we can change our circumstances just by changing the way we view them. A health challenge or problem can be overwhelming. There’s a ton of well-meaning opinions, studies and […]

Raw Protein Powder and Raw Inspiration!

Chris Wark healed himself of stage 3 colon cancer without chemo. Check out Chris’ inspiring story here. Be sure and scroll down and watch his video. Thanks to Chris for making this video comparing 3 top brands of protein powders. His top choice for protein powder is Garden of Life Raw Protein Powder. I have been using this brand for […]

Skyler Wins Time Warner Cable’s “Best Mom” Essay Contest!

This is truly the best award a mom could ever get! Skyler’s essay was selected out of hundreds and hundreds of other “mom” essays submitted by 9-18 year olds throughout San Diego County.  I am so touched by Skyler’s sentiments describing me and how much I mean to him. I will be one of 50 […]

Donna’s Daily Rx…

BREAKFAST  2 capsules of rm-10 (mushroom blend) from Garden of Life 1 cup reverse-osmosis water with lemon, chlorophyll & minerals 1-2 cups veggie-protein-flax smoothie (see “Liquid Love.”) 1-2 slices of gluten free or whole grain toast w coconut oil and almond butter * veggie scramble  w rice cake and garlic spread (1-2 x/week) 1-2 cups organic coffee […]

48 and Feeling Great… Great… Grateful!

Today is my 48th Birthday! My 10 year old son Cody said to me, “there is no way you are 48. Maybe low – mid 30s!” Thanks Cody for reminding me that age is just a #.  What’s most important is how we feel… and how we feel on the inside can’t help but shine […]

Overdiagnosis is a BIG problem

Overdiagnosis (detecting cancers that would never become life-threatening or cause symptoms), accounts for nearly one-third of newly diagnosed breast cancers (more than 70,000 women) according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.  Check out this article published in the NY Daily News, Nov 12, 2012: 1.3 million overdiagnosed for breast cancer in US  And if […]

Latest MRI is GOOD GOOD GOOD

Anyone that’s ever had an MRI knows how much fun it is — NOT! And then there’s the waiting for results! I want to give a personal shout out to all the folks at Aurora Breast Imaging of Orange County and the radiologists at UC Irvine. I am grateful for the comfort, caring and kindness they […]

What Cancer Taught Me During the Holidays

Thank you to Cameron Von St. James for sharing his inspiring story…. What Cancer Taught Me During the Holidays by Cameron Von St. James Making memories, celebrating a great year, spending time with loved ones, and being thankful for new traditions, old traditions, and all the good in life is what makes the holidays such a […]

Liquid LOVE

2 cups purified water 1 cup almond or other nut milk spinach, kale, rainbow chard, carrot, celery, cucumber, ginger 2 cups frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries,  mango 1 scoop each: Raw Protein Powder & Perfect Food (Garden of Life) 1-2 tbl ground flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds —   all organic! Extra options: garlic, cilantro, […]

HIKE PREPARATION & CANCER PREVENTION: A Common Thread

What does preparation for a grueling hike up a 10,000 foot mountain have in common with DCIS and breast cancer prevention? 1. Investigation: Both require gathering information and understanding what you are facing. 2. Training: Practice, practice, practice makes for success. Daily exercise is also a well known contributor to cancer prevention. The side effects are a […]

“Cactus to Clouds…” Hike for the CAUSE…Tell Cancer to TAKE A HIKE!

On Friday Oct 12th, I am hiking the “Cactus to Clouds” hike in Palm Springs. Here is a description from another hiker: “This, in my opinion is the hardest hike in Southern California. It has even made it on to Backpacker Magazine’s list of America’s hardest day hikes!” You start in Palm Springs at an altitude […]

All is Good: Ultrasound Shows Only Scar Tissue

All is good. Due to lumpy tissue in my breast in the location of the incision where 3 surgeries took place, I agreed to have an ultrasound check it out.  After enduring a lecture on why mammograms are the gold standard, I stood my ground and said NO to a mammogram. As I expected, the […]

IS “ACIDOSIS” THE ROOT CAUSE OF DISEASE?

ACIDOSIS (imbalance of ph towards the acidic side) / MICRO-FLORA IMBALANCE (when the microorganisms in your intestinal tract are not properly balanced – these microorganisms account for 80% of your immune system and require a balanced proportion). Like all things in life, problems arise when an imbalance sways too far in one direction. The body […]

My Supplement List — What’s Yours?

Here is a list of daily supplements I take: probiotic; omega 3; cod liver oil; Vit E (400iu); Vit D3 (5,000 iu); curcumin (500-2,000); RM-10; iodine; indole 3 carbinol (200mg x2); milk thistle; coQ10; selenium; B-12; Vit C (500-1,000mg); CALM (Magnesium 350mg); CALM PLUS (magnesium, calcium, potassium, C, D, Boron); panex ginseng; gingko biloba; glucosamine, […]

Why Naturopathic Medicine?

I can not emphasize enough the importance of finding a Naturopathic Dr. to oversee your individualized optimal health and healing program. EVERYONE needs this kind of healthcare — from children to those who are going through chemo! Our western medical model is set up for “disease management,” but it is not focused on optimizing long-term […]

Radiation or NOT?

I have been saying NO to rads for over 2 years despite the hard sell, fear tactics and claims that there is very little harm, damage, discomfort, pain and short & long-term repercussions from radiation treatment.  Most oncologists, radiologists and surgeons tout only benefits and statistics of lowering DCIS recurrence. One major point I discovered […]

GREAT NEWS — Oncotype DX Test Results!

Dr. Laura Esserman called me with some GREAT NEWS this evening. My Oncotype DX Test Score results came back as LOW RISK  for invasive breast cancer! She said I have a 10% risk of invasive cancer at 8 years — not much different than the average woman who has a lifetime risk of 12%. For […]

EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO READ THIS….

What you always wanted to know about breast screening published by The Nordic Cochrane Centre 201: http://www.cochrane.dk/screening/mammography-leaflet.pdf I have been to several Breast Cancer Centers over the last two years and I have been wondering why they all seem to be ignoring the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation for mammograms. Their recommendation suggests women between the ages of […]

Mammograms???

I feel I am one of thousands of women who have been over-treated and harmed by mammograms. I believe our society and most breast cancer organizations put way too much emphasis, money and marketing on mammograms and not enough on breast cancer PREVENTION and improving current treatments for those with harmless pre-cancerous conditions and especially […]

BS stands for Blue Shield

Dr. Esserman ordered the Oncotype DX Test for me over 1 month ago (see post “What is Oncotype DX?”) Today I received Blue Shield’s denial letter stating: “A physician advisor has reviewed the information provided and determined that the requested service would not be covered as medically necessary under the terms of this health plan per […]

What Is Oncotype DX?

Oncotype DX is the first clinically validated commercial genomic assay for patients with DCIS. Oncotype DX reveals the underlying biology that can help guide DCIS treatment decisions by predicting the risk of any local recurrence of breast cancer (DCIS or invasive) and the risk of local invasive carcinoma and allowing for personalized treatment based on […]

Helplessness Feeds Cancer

I recently read an exceptional book called AntiCancer: A New Way of Life by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber. The book begins with Dr. Servan-Schreiber  telling his fascinating story of how he discovered his own brain tumor after scanning his brain while working on his PhD in neuroscience. His cancer went into remission after conventional treatments of surgery and chemotherapy, but after […]

Dr. Esserman Touts Tamoxifen

Armed with a list of questions, I enthusiastically flew to San Francisco to hear what  Dr. Esserman had to say about my DCIS situation and her recommendations for risk reduction and monitoring.  After waiting 2 hours in the lobby and 1.5 hours in the exam room, Dr. Esserman finally greeted me. (I learned this extremely […]

The Insanity of DCIS Surgery

I am astonished at the way in which DCIS surgeries are performed…it is unacceptable and we must find a better way than to blindly hack at women’s breasts 2-3 times and then tell them they need a mastectomy because clear margins could not be obtained. How would you feel if you were told you needed […]

Excellent News — MRI Results are All Clear!

Dr. Stephen Feig, Professor of Radiology and Director of Breast Imaging at UC Irvine, gave me the results of my Aurora RODEO MRI today. He said, “nothing suspicious — see you in a year!” 🙂 To learn more about Aurora dedicated Breast MRI, please read article: “My Choice for NO RADIATION & NO MORE MAMMOGRAMS”: […]

My Choice for NO RADIATION & NO MORE MAMMOGRAMS

“The most benign-appearing forms of DCIS (for example, low nuclear grade, small-celled without necrosis, estrogen- and progesterone-receptor positive,c-erbB2 negative, etc.), if untreated, may never cause clinical disease. Less than 50% of low-grade lesions develop into invasive breast cancer over a 25- to 30-year period. This finding goes back to an issue raised earlier as to whether […]

NY Times Article: Breast Cancer Surgery Rules Are Called Unclear

Fascinating article regarding margins and re-excisions….. “there is no evidence that a margin any bigger than “not touching ink” affects cancer recurrence or survival, said Dr. Morrow” http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/01/health/repeat-breast-cancer-surgery-guidelines-found-unclear.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Organic Tofu “EggFree” Salad

Everything Organic and raw….herb salad, rainbow chard, arugula, beets, carrots, yellow pepper, radish, grape tomatoes Tofu eggfree salad from Jimbos: organic tofu, veganaise, organic green onions, organic parsley, lemon juice, organic tumeric, organic curry powder, sea salt Dressing: Olive oil, Braggs amino acids, salsa, squeeze of lemon  Spices: anise seed, cinnamon, tumeric, pepper, dill  

You Did What? Saying “NO” to Conventional Cancer Treatment

I just finished reading this fascinating book….it is a story about Hollie Quinn, a 27 year old woman who was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2002 while she was 38 weeks pregnant. Hollie and her husband Patrick share how they came to a decision to reject conventional treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy, […]

Peace, Love & “The Science of Happiness”

How have I managed to stay calm, happy and filled with gratitude throughout my two year DCIS roller coaster ride filled with mammograms,  MRIs, 1 needle biopsy, 3 surgeries,  waiting for pathology results, multiple opinions, information overload and doctors who continually try to scare the (bleep) out of me? Everything I know about staying calm – no matter […]

Article boasts “watchful waiting” option…

Watchful waiting may be the more sensible approach upon diagnosis with DCIS, but most women are not informed of this option… http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/01/09/x-ray-mammography-screenings-finding-cancers-not-there.aspx?e_cid=20120109_DNL_art_1

An Angel called Adriana

“No-no-no,” Adriana insisted with her Colombian accent. “You mustn’t do these invasive treatments… You must come see me immediately.”  Upon learning of my diagnosis in an email I initially sent out, my dear friend, Adriana, who is an orthomolecular nutritionist and energy healer, took me under her wings and began to re-educate me about the human body and […]

2nd Opinions Matter!!!

I can not stress how grateful I am to Sandie Walters for creating a website “DCIS Without Rads” about her DCIS story and referring me to Dr. Michael Lagios, a 30 year DCIS expert and pathologist who offers a 2nd opinion consultation service. His evaluation of my actual pathology slides brought great peace of mind […]

Half Dome Hike 2010

A 14 hour hike that was symbolic of the challenges I was facing. A humongous thank you to all who hiked, cheered and contributed to our incredible climb for a very important cause….Cancer Prevention, Education and Holistic Health! This experience was one of the highlights of my life! A special thank you to my husband Glenn for making […]

Donna’s Super Green-berry Protein Organic Smoothie

1 cups filtered water 1 cup organic coconut water (optional) 1 cup organic almond, cashew, walnut or other non-dairy milk 2 tablespoons organic flax seeds (freshly ground in coffee grinder) 1 tablespoon each: chia and hemp seeds 1-2 cups fresh organic greens (spinach, chard, kale) ¼ cup frozen wild organic blueberries ¼ cup other organic […]

Broccoli Heals!

Broccoli is high in vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C. The 3,3′-Diindolylmethane or DIM found in broccoli is a potent modulator of the innate immune response system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity. Broccoli also […]

Bruce Lipton — Healing Perceptions

“One Minute Shift” video: Epigenetics research challenges the conventional beliefs about genes and reveals the role of emotion on our bodies and health. In this video, author and cellular biologist Bruce H. Lipton, Ph.D. explores the importance of perception in maintaining optimal health.