Category Archives: Options

DCIS — New BMJ Study Supports Active Monitoring

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Donna Pinto

A new study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) July 2025, adds to growing evidence that many women with a DCIS diagnosis may want to consider an active monitoring approach.

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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 →

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

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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. … Continue reading →

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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

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

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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 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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