Category Archives: Support

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.

Continue reading →

Posted in Health, informed choice, Informed Choice, Options, Overdiagnosis & Overtreatment, Research, Sanity, Support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mammogram Opt Out Letter & Petition!

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Donna Pinto

I am writing to formally decline mammograms at this time. This decision is based on my personal review of independent medical literature, scientific research, and my own health priorities and values. Continue reading →

Posted in Health, informed choice, Informed Choice, Overdiagnosis & Overtreatment, Research, Resources, Support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a 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 , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

“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 →

Posted in Health, Options, Overdiagnosis & Overtreatment, Personal Stories, Research, Resources, Sanity, Support | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Health, Options, Overdiagnosis & Overtreatment, Personal Stories, Research, Resources, Sanity, Support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Options, Personal Stories, Research, Resources, Support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Options, Personal Stories, Research, Resources, Sanity, Support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Options, Personal Stories, Research, Sanity, Support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

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

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Donna Pinto

“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’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Options, Personal Stories, Sanity, Support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

DCIS Support — Find Your Tribe on Facebook!

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Donna Pinto

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Options, Personal Stories, Resources, Sanity, Support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment