Author Archives: Donna Pinto

About Donna Pinto

I am originally from New Jersey and moved to Los Angeles with my family at age 12. After graduating from San Diego State University with a BA in Journalism, I had a short-stint in magazine advertising sales before landing my "dream job" with Club Med. For two years I worked at resorts in Mexico, The Bahamas, The Dominican Republic and Colorado. My husband Glenn & I met in Ixtapa, Mexico and we embarked on a two year honeymoon around the world. This was also a research project for a book we wrote called "When The Travel Bug Bites: Creative Ways to Earn, Save and Stay Abroad." I am also the author of a quote book for new graduates -- "Cheatnotes on Life: Lessons From The Classroom of Life." In 1997, we settled in San Diego and I was blessed to work part-time from home for non-profit organizations while raising our two boys. In 2010, a DCIS diagnosis changed my life. DCIS 411 is the culmination of my on-going journey and discoveries.

Stage 0 DCIS Saga — Guest Blog by Lynn Good

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Donna Pinto

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. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 6 Comments

No Surgery for DCIS — Studies and Support

Posted on January 16, 2023 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 2 Comments

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

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Donna Pinto

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, … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

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

Posted on September 14, 2022 by Donna Pinto

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. Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Options, Overdiagnosis & Overtreatment, Personal Stories, Sanity, Support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

The Case for NO TREATMENT of Low-risk DCIS 

Posted on July 22, 2022 by Donna Pinto

“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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 2 Comments

Overdiagnosis – “That’s Not Even a Word”

Posted on June 14, 2022 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 8 Comments

Lions, Tigers and Fears — the Cultural Problem of DCIS

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Donna Pinto

“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 … Continue reading →

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Reflections on My 12 Year DCIS Anniversary…

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 12 Comments

My Doctor Told Me: “Your Breast is Like Spoiled Soup… It’s Not Worth Saving.” Ten Years Later — Evidence I Proved Her Wrong

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Donna Pinto

In October 2011, my doctor said to me: “Your breast is like spoiled soup… it’s not worth saving.” When I said I did not want to do anything further, she said, “Don’t be stupid Donna — at least do 3 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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