What is DCIS – ‘I’ve heard of it, and my doctor has mentioned it to me when it comes to my breast health, but, I don’t know what it means.’ At ThermApproach, we believe knowledge is power, and we believe the topic of DCIS – Ductal Carcinoma in Situ demands a discussion. In fact, we are dedicating two articles to this topic. Stay tuned for part two.

To get started, here is the absolute definition: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the presence of abnormal cells inside a milk duct in the breast.[1] Accordingly, it is the fourth most common cancer diagnosis in women, even though it is a Stage O cancer. In other words, it has not spread outside a breast duct (where virtually all breast cancer begins) into the surrounding breast tissue.

According to many experts within the halls of conventional allopathic medicine, DCIS shouldn’t even be considered a form of breast cancer to begin with. According to Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society:

“The amazing thing is, today we have women who are getting bilateral mastectomies because of ductal carcinoma in situ. But the same women, if diagnosed with true breast cancer, would choose to get a lumpectomy and radiation—far less treatment for the real cancer….Ductal carcinoma in situ is such a frightening word, and it causes so much emotion on the part of doctors and patients. Some experts have said maybe we should take that frightening word carcinoma out of the phrase [DCIS] and instead call it an indolent lesion of undetermined origin.”

In conjunction with that, Dr. Anne Partridge, MD. MPH, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is quoted as saying:

“There’s hysteria around breast cancer. The extremism that sometimes comes into play in DCIS treatment decision making is a ‘cultural problem.’ This is not a life-threatening problem.”

According to a report in the New York Times[2], as many as 60,000 women are told each year that they have DCIS – Stage O. Most times the women have chosen to have either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, and in some cases, a double mastectomy, which removes healthy breast tissue as well. It appears that treatment may make no difference in their outcomes. Patients with this condition have close to the same likelihood of dying of breast cancer as women in the general population, and the few who died, did so despite treatment, not for the lack of it, researchers reported in JAMA Oncology. [3]

To sum it all up: DCIS is considered a ‘NON-cancer’. Ductal cell carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a condition of abnormal and non-cancerous cells contained within the breast’s milk ducts that have not spread to tissues nearby. It is categorized as a “pre-cancerous” condition by conventional medicine. Despite this fact, doctors are still recommending, and women are still getting mastectomies.

We believe in healthy breasts. As previously stated, we believe when you have the right tools or are more informed, you have a clearer understanding about how to handle your breast health.

Calling our office to schedule your initial screening is your first step to having those tools.

At ThermAppoach, we utilize sophisticated infrared technology and innovative computer software to capture the images in the form of an infrared thermogram, or heat picture. All reports are interpreted by medical doctors that are Board Certified in Thermology.

Before you can feel it, thermal imaging can see it.

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[1] “Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 14 June 2014, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dcis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371889.

[2] Kolata, Gina. “Doubt Is Raised Over Value of Surgery for Breast Lesion at Earliest Stage.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 20 Aug. 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/08/21/health/breast-cancer-ductal-carcinoma-in-situ-study.html?_r=0.

[3] Narod, Steven A. “Breast Cancer Mortality After Ductal Carcinoma In Situ.” JAMA Internal Medicine, American Medical Association, 1 Oct. 2015, jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2427491.