Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women; however, invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer followed by ductal carcinoma in situ (American Cancer Society, 2015). Ductal Carcinoma in Situ is a non-invasive cancer meaning that it does not spread to other parts of the breast (Mayo Clinic, 2014). The cancer stays in the milk ducts and is considered precancerous (Mayo Clinic, 2014). About 80% of the people that have ductal carcinoma in situ, were diagnosed by mammography (Breastcancer.org, 2015). Ductal carcinoma can increase the rate of other types of breast cancer about 5 years after treating ductal carcinoma (Breastcancer.org, 2015).

Ductal carcinoma in situ is a type of breast that does not spread in other areas of the breast (Brigham and Women's Hospital, 2015). “In situ” means “in place”, meaning

(Mayo Clinic, 2014). If the screening show a suspicious bright white area, the radiologist may ask for more screenings to make sure that the area is not a sign of cancer. They take samples of the breast tissue, but they have to go through one or more different types of breast biopsy. Later, the pathologist will analyze the breast tissue to determine if the breast is diseased. If the breast is cancerous and the person wants to go through treatment, they have various options. They can go through surgery to remove the breast or breasts; some procedures are lumpectomy and mastectomy. Lumpectomy is the surgical removal of tumor (?)lumps. Mastectomy is where they would remove the breast tissue, skin, areola and nipple and possibly the lymph node. A majority of the women diagnosed with DCIS or other breast cancer prefer to go through lumpectomy, but in some cases they require the patient to undergo mastectomy. They also have radiation therapy where they use radiation to kill the cancer cells in the breast (American Cancer