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.

Guided by the Light

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Donna Pinto

(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 … Continue reading →

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Presidential Proclamation on Healthy Life Habits for Cancer Prevention

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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My HEALTH Wake Up Call — A PODCAST Sharing Personal Stories

Posted on January 20, 2024 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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Breast Imaging Options — A Patient Advocate Investigates ABUS and QT

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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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

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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