Author Archives: Donna Pinto

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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.

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

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 26, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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) … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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? … Continue reading →

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