Hi,
I can appreciate your concern, anxiety and confusion. As you may or may not know, lobular carcinoma in situ is an uncommon condition in which abnormal cells form in the lobules or milk glands in the breast. LCIS isn't cancer. But being diagnosed with LCIS indicates that you have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
According to the staff of the Mayo Clinic, a number of factors, including your personal preferences, come into play when you decide whether to undergo treatment for lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). There are three main approaches to treatment: careful observation, taking a medication to reduce cancer risk (chemoprevention) or preventive surgery.
1) Observation includes;
* Frequent breast self-exams to develop breast familiarity and to detect any unusual breast changes
* Clinical breast exams at least twice a year
* Screening mammograms every year
* Other imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), if you have other risk factors and a strong family history of breast cancer
2) Chemoprevention includes two selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) drugs are approved to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer. Both drugs work by blocking breast tissue's receptivity to estrogen, which influences the development and growth of many breast tumors. Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (Evista) are both such drugs.
3) Preventive surgery: One other option for treating LCIS is preventive (prophylactic) mastectomy. This surgery removes both breasts — not just the breast affected with LCIS — to reduce your risk of developing invasive breast cancer. To obtain the best possible protective benefit from this surgery, both breasts are removed, because LCIS increases your risk of developing breast cancer in either breast. Preventive surgery may be an option for you if you're at high risk of breast cancer based on a strong family history or a BRCA gene mutation. Surgery to treat LCIS isn't urgent, so you have time to carefully weigh the pros and cons of preventive mastectomy with your doctor.
I do hope this information is helpful,
Maryann
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Hi,
September 9, 2011 - 4:31pmI can appreciate your concern, anxiety and confusion. As you may or may not know, lobular carcinoma in situ is an uncommon condition in which abnormal cells form in the lobules or milk glands in the breast. LCIS isn't cancer. But being diagnosed with LCIS indicates that you have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
According to the staff of the Mayo Clinic, a number of factors, including your personal preferences, come into play when you decide whether to undergo treatment for lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). There are three main approaches to treatment: careful observation, taking a medication to reduce cancer risk (chemoprevention) or preventive surgery.
1) Observation includes;
* Frequent breast self-exams to develop breast familiarity and to detect any unusual breast changes
* Clinical breast exams at least twice a year
* Screening mammograms every year
* Other imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), if you have other risk factors and a strong family history of breast cancer
2) Chemoprevention includes two selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) drugs are approved to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer. Both drugs work by blocking breast tissue's receptivity to estrogen, which influences the development and growth of many breast tumors. Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (Evista) are both such drugs.
3) Preventive surgery: One other option for treating LCIS is preventive (prophylactic) mastectomy. This surgery removes both breasts — not just the breast affected with LCIS — to reduce your risk of developing invasive breast cancer. To obtain the best possible protective benefit from this surgery, both breasts are removed, because LCIS increases your risk of developing breast cancer in either breast. Preventive surgery may be an option for you if you're at high risk of breast cancer based on a strong family history or a BRCA gene mutation. Surgery to treat LCIS isn't urgent, so you have time to carefully weigh the pros and cons of preventive mastectomy with your doctor.
I do hope this information is helpful,
Maryann
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