'Stage Zero Breast Cancer' Patient Believes She Was Over-Treated

[@lcolon5606]

My mom is 81 and diagnosed with DCIS Stage 0 and still both surgeon/oncologist opinions advised mastectomy and pills. She asked for the pills alone (which I am just as afraid of side effects) She made her personal choice and I respect it. She has taken care of others with breast cancer so I know she has first hand experience. There is no guarantee to living her best life when she is so independent, faithful and full of life now. Her regular doctor even praised how well she has taken care of herself to get to her age. I guess the surgeon/oncologist feels she would do fine with their recommendation but how would she live out the rest of her life? and at this age>? I'm proud she at least got the information to make an informed decision about this.

[@jeanniesabol5410]

Treatment or not or treatment type should be an INDIVIDUAL CHOICE. No one should be reairoaded into doing something they don't want. I've noticed medical people diagnosed with DCIS tend to choose mastectomy over lumpectomy with ancillary treatment because mastectomy has low risk of disease recurrence. Further, people often think survival is the same as disease free survival when it isn't. Talking back power means not being railroaded and instead making an individual choice regarding treatment or not or type of treatment. Ancillary treatment given after lumpectomy (often, radiation and/or hormonal treatment for years) carry risks of serious and often permanent side effects which have great potential to seriously and permanently compromise health, as if DCIS wasn't enough. Who wants that? Do your own research and don't be reairoaded by doctors. Make your own decisions. After all, you must live with a DCIS diagnosis and all it entails, not the doctor.

[@maureenerwin6485]

I was diagnosed DCIS 5 years ago and I resisted any treatment after they tried to bully me into surgery and radiation. I did my research. I just sent them an email that says “I regret to inform you that I’m still alive after walking out of the consult where you tried to bully me into overtreatment. “ Lolol I am watchful waiting, no signs of malignancy. Take back your power

[@dp4peace]

love it!! Would be good for t-shirts and mugs..."Take back your Power." 🥳

[@MarieTerrible-ny3tc]

Wow did u take tamoxifen

[@christinekeefe3553]

lol!!!! I love you!!!

[@daniellel9994]

This is very sad, She went through all😢

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

very sad that doctors care more about money than people

[@casualdiamond1]

It’s disheartening but with support of family and friends and God I’ve got this 🙏💪

[@kar399]

I had DCIS 4 years ago & have just had my 4 year mammogram. I expect my results in approx 14 days. I had a lumpectomy & 15 sessions of radiotherapy here in the UK. I am astounded at this attitude to the treatment offered. Do you want to live ? Take the treatment & continue to live your life. Most of all be grateful that treatment is now able to save so more many lives than it could 10/20 years ago. I thank God every day for still being cancer free because of my treatment.

[@Liz_678]

Agree! I had DCIS 2. Had 2 lumpectomies , out patient. So easy. Now 3 week’s radiation. My family has history and I wasn’t taking a chance. If I was younger I would take the DNA test to see how susceptible I would be to more. They would also monitor closer.

[@kar399]

I sailed through radiotherapy, no side effects at all. No way on this earth would I have refused treatment, it's crazy. Good luck.

[@ShelleySorenson]

​@@kar399keep going back to the doctor. My mom got another kind of cancer from the radiation therapy and died from that.

[@urban_phantom7750]

​@@ShelleySorenson: if she drank unfiltered water, she may have died from cancer related to ingesting PFAS. Don't assume it was the radiation

[@dp4peace]

@@kar399 I'm glad you had no short term side effects from radiation, but often doctors do not inform about long-termeffects to heart, lungs, thyroid, etc. I was perfectly healthy and 14 years later I still am, so for me I am thankful I did not get scared into doing a serious cancer treatment that offered ZERO benefit, but loads of long-term harm. Why would my decisions be considered "crazy?"

[@cristinalopez1822]

That is the same diagnosis the doctor gave to my sister. In December she went for a mammogram, and after that was sent for a sonogram because there was something suspicious. On January 2nd I took her for a biopsy of the left breast, and on January 5th received the final diagnosis of stage 0 DCIS. On the same day, they made all the arrangements for the surgeon. Now she was scheduled for a lumpectomy and radiation. Not even a month to make all the decisions and the sad part is that we don't have the time to process the bad news. I'll call(my sister doesn't speak English) the surgeon to postpone the surgery and go to the surgeon and ask for a surveillance time. They make it to see her diagnosis like a life thread. This is very sad all these sound like a business. I wish you the best Donna I'm happy that I found your KZbin video. Thanks, listening to you talk was a relief

[@SealedByYah]

It IS a business.

[@blackcoffee.]

@@SealedByYah BIG cancer = BIG pharma

[@3jintemecula]

lucky, they discovered I have breast cancer July 31st. I'm still waiting for surgery.

[@dink-zn7kj]

had dcis ....yes it is a money making business!

[@celestial3128]

Ladies do research this lady is still cancer free today!! I have the same cancer I'm with her!!

[@charleysmile6491]

Same here, experienced a full breast mastectomy as a result of a bunch of calcifications that look suspicious. I consulted 8 specialists including surgeons and radiologists and all advised the operation. Turned out found 2 tiny stage 0 lumps less than 3mm. I also think I am overtreated despite my wound recover quickly with no further treatment required.

[@hk5288]

You may have dodged a bullet. They thought my mom had DCIS. It was 8 mm. They did a lumpectomy and found a tiny portion (1mm) had broken out of the duct. It had already spread to 2 lymph nodes at that small size. She passed from breast cancer 5 years later and was one of the unlucky ones. They remove DCIS for a reason, to reduce the risk of invasive cancer and identify any invasive cancer that is not otherwise visible on scans. You were fortunate and should move forward. You were given the standard of care and doctors did he proper treatment based on the information they had at the time.

[@nonameneededd]

Her confidence is really inspirational. People forget that cancer is a symptom caused by various diseases. It's not that you got cancer get ready to die. People live with cancer for years and years, it is NOT a death sentence. Educate yourselves like this woman did. She will be saving so many women from a lot of heartache. Fear in a human body can cause you to eliminate anything that can be a threat, so instead of dealing with it people tend to skip to just subtract it altogether. Major props to her 👏👏

[@joannepigliavento7930]

Follow Dr. Jenn Simmons former breast surgeon

[@tepukaford9118]

I am going through the process with stage DCIS and had two surgeries but also refuse radiation and Doctors encourage just regular yearly mammogram

[@Toliverforcongress]

I’m sorry inside edition, but I personally, if I found out I had something that raises my chances of cancer. And have to have 4 surgeries in 2 years, it is reasonable for the dr To believe you would have a better quality of life removing the breast. It has also been proven removing your breast gives a roughly 90-95% reduction in chances of getting breast cancer. I understand everyone has the right to make their own decisions but to make it seem like they wanted to chop her breast off for no reason is grossly misleading.

[@deborahminter6231]

The video gave more detail than that. Of course the chances of getting breast cancer will minimize if the "breast" is removed. The point is that the surgery is over done.

[@Toliverforcongress]

@@deborahminter6231 well, surgery to try to preserve the breast was their choice, they also can say no to the surgery. I understand there can definitely be stuff overdone, but it also largely has to do with the information available at the time.

[@chucho91234]

They want to chop off your breast and scare you and cause cancer cuz that means money for them! Wake tf up

[@GingerMaxam]

A breast is a living functioning part of a woman’s body, not a useless defected appendage that just be removed without after effects.

[@I.am.emmyxo]

Thank you Inside Edition & Donna for sharing this!

[@NIOMI4U]

******WOW****** This was *EYE-OPENING* SO much ***malpractice*** out there Sometimes we feel so POWERLESS, relying on doctors!

[@dm8553]

I have stage 0, grade 3. I have a large group of calcifications. There is also another area that isn't cancer, but it needs removed. The surgeon suggested a mastectomy. My surgery is scheduled for January 20. I was told I won't need radiation or chemo. I'm more afraid of the recovery than the cancer.

[@charleysmile6491]

I went through this 2 weeks ago. same here with a bunch of calcifications and I had to conduct a full breast mastectomy with reconstruction. I can move around within days so don't worry.

[@dm8553]

@@charleysmile6491 I'm just worried because I live alone.

[@charleysmile6491]

@@dm8553 Sending you love ❤️ I could move around on the 3rd day after the operation and discharged from hospital on the 5th day. The wound didn't really hurt, it's more a sore feeling. Try to exercise and keep working out before the surgery, which helped the whole healing process. Sending you lots of love ❤️

[@dm8553]

@@charleysmile6491 thank you and have a great Christmas and New Year!

[@charleysmile6491]

Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!

[@anita3088]

This is so similsr to what is happening to men with high psa’s - over diagnosis and over treatment.

[@Houseitch]

& fake tests. It’s inflammation! This is barbaric! Poor woman.

[@great-grandmakirk8828]

Good for her,she is probably saving a lot of women from unnecessary surgery and pain and disfigurement.👍🏻👍🏻👏🏼👏🏼❤️

[@mareerogers1114]

The more tests they perform the more they discover. They discovered 2 totally different issues in my breast because they didn't stop at one diagnosis. I'm scheduled for a double mastsectomy after a mammogram, biopsy, MRI, sterostatic biopsy, and lumpectomy kept leading to a diagnosis of DCIS and atypical ductal hyperplasia. My upcoming will tell whether if I have invasive cancer. DCIS IS CANCER in incubation.

[@foxyred1015]

I was diagnosed with DCIS yesterday, Im so scared!

[@suerich6896]

How you doing so far? Hope all. IS ok.

[@joannepigliavento7930]

Follow Dr. Jenn Simmons and buy her book! Check out one of her most recent KZbin videos! All the best to you! 😊

[@carolsherman9496]

know this is five years and but I felt the need to comment as I think this is a dangerous segment of Inside Edition. This is one woman’s journey. We’re all different. DCIS is a very confusing diagnosis because you hear phrases like “precancer” and “stage 0.” I was diagnosed with DCIS last year. I thought if it’s “precancer” why would I need surgery? But just because it’s precancer now doesn’t mean it will stay that way. I had my first lumpectomy and the margins weren’t good. The second one showed not only much more DCIS but an invasive component as well. I don’t think in my case the surgeons were out to make a buck as some have suggested here. Luckily I live in Canada where healthcare is free. My surgeon was willing to do a third lumpectomy to see if we could get it all removed and save the breast but unfortunately more invasive cancer was found along with more DCIS. I recently had a mastectomy. It’s true, it’s not very much fun but to have this peace of mind it’s worth it.

[@suerich6896]

But if u did the lumpectomy and it still had DCIS and more invasive component, wouldn't the Radiation kill any remaining DCIS and invasive components? Just asking.

[@RhoadsOfLife]

Heck no I just went through this today I didn’t have cancer but atypical cells they just removed them. Yes the process was horrible and I assume recovery may not be easy but my 46 yr old neighbor just died from breast cancer and left her young children and husband behind. I don’t want to be her.

[@suerich6896]

Did u have a lumpectomy? And if so did u have radiation to?

[@joanngarcia1331]

May not but it MAY become invasive and my mother passed from breast cancer. 🥴 you take the risk

[@dp4peace]

sorry about your mom.

[@casualdiamond1]

I had DCIS 5 years ago. Had a double mastectomy. I now have stage 3 invasive breast cancer.

[@Threemore650]

How can you have cancer in breasts you don’t have?

[@dp4peace]

really sad and so sorry.

[@valgoldthorpe1377]

Because that’s the type of cancer it is, and is called that even when it’s spread to other parts of the body

[@angelacorsetto6790]

Thanks for sharing.. I am quitting treatment for now

[@danabishop9804]

I have a biopsy for calcification and if it’s stage 0 I will not do any of this

[@danabishop9804]

@@Taye_H I was lucky. My biopsy shows no cancer.

[@Taye_H]

@@danabishop9804That’s wonderful! So happy for you!

[@sasha6716]

@@danabishop9804 That's incredible! You must feel so relieved. Why did they inform you that you needed to biopsy? Had the microcalcifications increased and were they grouped? I know there's a quite a difference between macro calcifications and micro.

[@98christensen]

It's been 5 more years since this came out. Any update on how Donna is doing now? How often is she getting checked now?

[@dp4peace]

See my reply above! Doing fantastic! Never cancer!!! 😊

[@virgenfj]

Doctors just want profit!

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

Every prescription that gets filled they get a kickback from it.

[@virgenfj]

SUGAR XYLER they rather prescribe than heal. They'll just say you have the flu and send you home.

[@billwang8502]

SUGAR XYLER wrong.

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

Bill, idiot

[@billwang8502]

SUGAR XYLER how so?

[@thealexgaona]

Any idea how she’s doing now ? My mother is going through the same thing now

[@lolagonzaga5406]

I believe she has a youtube channel called…

[@lolagonzaga5406]

Donna Pinto its the one where it seems she is on top of a snowy mountain. Hope this helps she also has a website, don’t know the name but look her up!! Much support on your mom

[@r5ndom551]

I hear what they said,then i go down a rabbit hole of research

[@lexismith8206]

You were not over treated. DCIS has the possibility to turn into cancer. It’s basically precancerous and they found cancerous cells in your milk ducts. It’s important to undergo aggressive treatment because the last thing we want is full blown breast cancer. Preventative care is the best healthcare.

[@shenanigans8799]

My left breast was diagnosed as DCIS after a core biopsy, I had IDC in the right breast, and another mass found in the left breast after my MRI, I chose double mastectomy....after my surgery , the left breast was upgraded to full blown cancer, I think I made the right decision.

[@lateshiachilds3640]

I have DCIS it's stage 0, I saw the doctor today and she said if the milk duct break it can spread into stage 1, 2 and if it get worse it can go all over my body. I don't want cancer, then again I don't want to waste time on all these surgeries. I can just do like the lady doing and just eat healthy and exercise.

[@Liz_678]

Just had 2 surgeries. First one found invasive DCIS. Second one removed margins and all was clear ( both lumpectomies) . Next step might be radiation. I will go with next step. Seen too many with metastatic carcinoma fight for their lives! Calcium deposits can be a precursor! DO NOT put off treatments ! ( Lumpectomies we’re done as out patient under anesthesia. No problems, or pain)

[@chucho91234]

You can make it go away with a healthy diet and hormone control

[@ShelleySorenson]

I don't agree. They don't tell you that you can die from the treatment. My mom died from the radiation treatment.

[@SaintTrinianz]

Was was diagnosed with DCIS in 2002. I refused treatment saying, "I think that's a very bad idea! I refuse to have cancer." Now it looks like, over the course of 21 years, I may have metastatic cancer. I will know in a few weeks. The point is, my survival rate was similar, if not better without treatment than it would have been with treatment. Furthermore, if I had continued to take good care of myself, I think I could have stretched it out much longer but the last 5-7 years have been very rough indeed. Twenty one years ago, I still had two children, ages 10 and 16, to raise. Now I am alone and ready to go...

[@lisathornton6374]

❤😢

[@SaintTrinianz]

@@lisathornton6374 I still have the same mass in the same location. It's a little bigger but the surrounding lymph nodes look fine. They wanted to biopsy it but I refused for the same reasons as twenty some years ago... I just need to take better care of myself.

[@lisathornton6374]

@@SaintTrinianz I completely get it.

[@melodymerritt8419]

I jwas just diagnosed TOD'AY....So glad I found this video!

[@LNCJV]

I am so thankful I found you! After a re-imaging mammogram, doctor suspected DCIS stage 0 breast cancer. They scheduled a biopsy. I canceled that appt. I opted to have a thermography done. In my research, I have learned so much! Thank you for sharing your story!

[@kendrad233]

Those tests aren’t valid.

[@DianneElizabeth64]

Thermography scans caught my spot. I have been bullied so bad at the ultrasound breast clinic. They gaslighted me to get one anyway. Even with my dr script for an ultrasound. Im so over western medicine

[@mariamorales81]

Had the same diagnosis..same treatment plan..as of today 17 years post diagnosis. Feel it was the right decision for me.

[@dp4peace]

most women do the treatments and do fine. I did not want the treatments, but got scared into surgeries I did not need. I'm glad I stopped. 15 years later I proved my way was right for me. Every women should be given all the options including diet and lifestyle for cancer risk reduction!

[@kodokugurume278]

This was reported six years ago and it still happening now because I have DCS at two surgeries and they scheduled me for radiation without even asking me and I haven’t seen my oncologist yet. So much money is involved no wonder

[@OLD-justaword]

What about invasion ductal carcinoma. Very small stage 1. Estrogen, progesterone positive, her negative. Hesitant on treatments

[@ummtaimann6819]

I am in same boat and don’t know what to do

[@dp4peace]

Look up Dr. Jenn Simmons and buy her book!

[@standupFYR805]

Yeah! Stop the conveyor belt...

[@Sam-td8lp]

Rather be over treated than under treated

[@asmith340]

Good point

[@deborahminter6231]

Unless the overtreatment was unnecessary.

[@Earth_snoodels]

Over-treatment can cause serious life long side effects

[@lateshiachilds3640]

I have stage 0 DCIS, i had two surgeries last year. The doctor said they didnt get all the margins. I dont want to get no more surgeries and these doctors want to take my breast off. Early this year i was suppose to do radiation treatment and do hormone treatments, that never happened.

[@blackcoffee.]

"When all you have is a hammer (surgery) everything looks like a nail."

[@AngelEyes-xm7el]

It is barbaric. I passed out during the wire being put in. Now a golf ball size tumor on my ribs 9 years later on my rib. Tomorrow i start all the tests. My doctor said i was not getting radiation she took out extra and felt i was all clear.

[@silvieb2024]

Mammograms do not increase life expectancy.

[@padmagovind2753]

What is that Website, please?

[@talapeanutbutter4250]

I’m getting an mri next week to see exactly what I do have in a duct. My left breast aches, feels like it’s bruised. I had an ultrasound yesterday and I could see the duct swollen or full.

[@asiaoharasbutterflies9425]

The best video from IE… 👏

[@lisal.1439]

Cancer survivor also, i cant imagine saying no thank you to treatments. You hear the stories of ppl declining treatments and a few years later its metastatic. 😢

[@r5ndom551]

I hear so many women saying this. Keep saying it, women ❤

[@Maeb143]

Seeing this a day before my breast biopsy. 😳 I have "suspiciously formed calcifications." Smart to get checked out, but still, I don't know enough about this to make an informed decision.

[@Moon0552]

Women get mastectomies to prevent it.. trust me you don’t want to go through chemo. I’m currently doing it and my life is on pause bc of it.

[@dp4peace]

Please look up Dr. Jenn Simmons... You must get to root causes....there is much more to look into other than mastectomies, radiation and chemo!!

[@leezjohan9296]

I had a lumptectamy in May 2024 for a 9ml nodule. I am still having nerve pain daily that shoots through my nipple at times. I did not go through with the radiation or the hermone blocker medications due to what can be intense irreversible side effects.

[@CF-pz5ke]

I'm currently 52 and got diagnosed with DCIS 0.4 cm tumor. I can't decide. I'm given an option for Lumpectomy or Mastectomy. The doctor first wants MRI and Genectic testing.

[@khatunanachkebia4836]

Hi how is your condition now? Please if u could tell me Thank you ❤

[@miriamhausman2287]

Thank you, I has the same problem,

[@Livelongwforce]

I was over biopsied last June. Had DCIS and by the time of my Mastectomy on Feb 1st, it had turned invasive and spread to my liver.

[@AngelEyes-xm7el]

I am so sorry in my prayers

[@Liz-zi6zh]

Feeling just like you...going to take my chances❤

[@AvayaSingh83]

Wow .

[@AvayaSingh83]

This is just plan sad

[@uhidnix]

im sorry whatt?

[@maryatmyfirstschool2244]

Donna, I commend you for doing your research and sticking to your guns. I don’t think you mentioned what “grade” your DCIS was…often “high” grade DCIS has a high percentage of turning into invasive breast cancer, so that also contributes to different more “invasive” treatments…just something for people to be aware of.

[@marym1485]

Please provide more information on what high grade means for additional treatment and procedures. I assume that means radiation in addition to surgery, and maybe a mastectomy rather than a lumpectomy? What else? Thanks.

[@awakeaftermidnight]

I'm going in on Monday morning for surgery. To remove a precancerous lump near my nipple

[@leannshort2211]

See a Biological Dentist to get to the root cause.

[@dp4peace]

I have 10 root canals....many for over 35-45 years due to a car accident when I was 15. I did see a biological dentist and fixed a couple of problems but I am healthy. The root cause of DCIS is screening mammograms! Best to avoid if you want to avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment!

[@leannshort2211]

@@dp4peace I do agree with that!! I don’t get mammograms, not anymore.

[@Guesswho5257]

Hey

[@leannshort2211]

It’s all about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@Us3er7]

😮

[@oliviahale9899]

what do u mean like i was the first to reply on the comments... omg i didnt mean it in a mean way... i feel bad for her i really do,,, i didnt mean it to be mean...... :( plz dont hate

[@danieljacobson8748]

Guys hi

[@thomasthorpe7630]

Evil language, blasphemy against God.

[@rosalindalongbas416]

What's gucci

[@rosalindalongbas416]

king11 Boss I know what gucci is lmao and what's Gucci is a saying for whats good literally everyone at school is saying it so might as well and i have the gucci flops

[@aguy7726]

Rosalinda Longbas oh ok

[@indianheadlogan]

1:20 giggity 🤥

[@oliviahale9899]

First

[@joed-gm8mg]

Olivia Hale was the first comment

[@kylie3893]

No one cares.

[@carolina2664]

Olivia Hale Why would u say this on such a sad video?

[@roby5704]

1. Nope 2. No one cares

[@mar-zy6tr]

6 COMMENT

[@batmanarcticcom]

First comment

[@roby5704]

Yup