DCIS 411
What is Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)?
The definition of DCIS itself has been a topic of debate for nearly 20 years!
DCIS 411 was established in 2011 to amplify the scientific research and experts focused on minimizing the harms of overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
New Scientific Insights and Improved Communication
The word “carcinoma” causes alarm. Women are often told, “You have breast cancer.”
Next, they are told to schedule consultations with a surgeon, a radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist.
The way it is communicated matters.
Often times women feel overwhelmed with confusing and sometimes outdated scary risk statistics.
Is it any wonder rates of bilateral mastectomy are increasing — even in low-risk, hormone receptor (HR)-positive DCIS!
At the same time, rates of nonsurgical management of DCIS are also on the increase. *JAMA Network, Feb. 2026
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DCIS 411 is the only website and resource focused specifically on helping women understand the controversies with DCIS from a patient-centered perspective.
DCIS 411 FAQ provides links and resources to common questions — some of which are outside the “standard of care” box.
Since 2016, Donna Pinto and other Patient Advocates have worked closely with physicians and researchers within PRECISION, a Grand Challenge international DCIS research project, and the COMET Study, a clinical trial comparing Active Monitoring to surgery for low-risk DCIS.
In addition to the scientific aspects, these teams have worked diligently on educational materials to improve physician-patient communication about DCIS.
This short video features Dr. Shelley Hwang and Donna Pinto — they explain DCIS from both a physician and a patient perspective:
DCIS Options Website
This research-based site was developed by Patient Advocates and Physicians from the COMET Study team.
Educational Resources for Women Newly Diagnosed with DCIS:
Provides answers in simple language:
- Is DCIS cancer or not?
- What is low-risk DCIS?
- What is a pathology report?