Lobular Carcinoma In Situ anyone?

  I have been diagnosed with LCIS and have been given 3 options: (1)do nothing, have 6-12 month mammograms, and watch carefully for invasive breast cancer...(2) same as #1 , but add 5 year Avista....or Double Mastectomy. 

Anyone here have the same diagnosis ?  What did you do ?  I have read everything I can find on the subject, but would really like some stories from other people who have dealt with LCIS.  If double mast. was chosen, did you have reconstruction at the same time?  If options #1 or #2 were chosen, how long ago was your diagnosis?  If you watched, waited, and had mammograms, have you developed invasive breast cancer yet ?

Any information from anyone who has "been there, done that" is welcome.

Hi, I am near your age and had a mastectomy in 1996 at 58. I have had no problem with a return of breast cancer. My first question is why would a doctor suggest you do nothing? At 67 depending on your other health issues you could have many years left, and you say you are in good health. If there are other issues at all you might try the Avista. but a double mastectomy would be certainly the best chance of living long as you would without breast cancer. Mastectomy surgery is really not as bad as it sounds. Recovery from it takes a few weeks and it is not real painful. The worse part for me was trying to lie down to sleep. I slept in a recliner for a couple of weeks. Not all woman have that problem, tho. As for reconstruction, that is really the most painful surgery, takes a long recovery if you go the tram flap route. I can't speak for implants. But at 67 do you really need breasts? I was lop sided with only one breast which was why I chose surgery. If I had known then what I know now, I would have wished for double mastectomy and no reconstruction and lived braless!!! You can get prosthesis for dress up, etc.

OK You wanted opinions, you have mine. I hope you will get some others, too.

Hugs, Mary K.

Thought I would share my story.  Had same type of cancer on my left side, and invasive DCIS on right side.  Decided to have bi-lateral mascetomy with no reconstruction.  I thought I could handle the way I would look.  I am 60 years old.  After mascetomy had infection arise in my right side  causing additional surgery, which also caused more scarring.  8 months after the last surgery I decided to have reconstruction.  My PS recommended implants with expanders. 

I had no idea how painful that was going to be.  The expanders were very painful.  Every time I went for a dreaded expansion, I felt like someone had put an elephant on the chest for a week.  This took six months to complete.  Then went for surgery with the implants, was told that it would be a lot more comfortable.  It wasn't.  3 months later my right side encapsulated and had to have implant removed, scar tissue cut out and re-inserted.  I am now 2 months out from that surgery.  The mounds as I call them look somewhat like breasts.  I have nerve damage on the right side which has caused continuous pain and limited the use of my right arm.

If I had it to do all over, I would not have had the reconstruction.  I was very self consious of my "divots" and tried all the other alternatives, but felt caved in.   Now I have trouble sleeping, keep wondering when these implants are going to feel like they are part of me and not something always feeling uncomfortable.    PS has talked about doing another surgery where than take skin and muscle from your back.  I will not have another surgery unless it is to remove these implants and try to get my life back to normal.  It has been almost two years now and recovering from surgery each time is not getting any easier.

Think long and hard before doing reconstruction of any kind.  Best of luck!