The cancer (precancer) is DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) meaning it formed in the ducts and it is still in the ducts as in hasn't "invaded" other breast tissue so it isn't called invasive cancer. Since it is "in situ" (in place), it is marked *Stage 0* which is a good thing. Both biopsies they did showed DCIS. The locations where the biopsies were taken are near each other and the location they couldn't get to via stereotactic biopsy is in the same region just behind it. The *grade* is medium (cribriform) to high (comedonecrosis). There are 3 grades... 1, 2 and 3. I'm 2-3. This equates to cell growth. Well organized growth but slow is 1. Disorganized and irregular is 3. The "necrosis" part of 3 above does mean dead but that in reality means excessive growth. Some cells die because others are forming and cutting off the blood supply. Anyway, I was wrong the other day that this won't spread. Guess I misunderstood. When you have "in situ", you are more likely to get other cancer. Right now, step one is a breast MRI scheduled for next Thursday. That'll show whether there is more cancer then they know about in the right breast or not and if there is anything of interest in the left breast. The step after that is surgery. If the MRI shows nothing new... I'm slated for lumpectomy (actually wide excision since there isn't a lump but more of a region deemed to be 6-7 o'clock position in the breast). The lumpectomy versus mastectomy is due to the fact the cancer is not invasive (hasn't spread outside the duct). Based on the pathology of what they took during the biopsies, they will test the sentinel lymph node while I'm under since it was the higher grade (3 - comedonecrosis) cells. If ithe lymph nodes tests positive during the surgery itself, they will probablyconvert to mastectomy and also take out more lymph nodes in addition to breast tissue. Assuming lymph node is clear and surgical margins look good (aka they appear to have it all removed with a good amount of clean tissue around it)... then it is off to 6 weeks of radiation. No chemo. And since it is ER+/PR+ (estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor)... I'll be on tamoxifen or raloxifene (which are Selective Estrogen Receptor Modifiers) for several years. This means the cancer feeds off hormones so you suppress the stuff they feed off of. Talk about a whirlwind of information and activity. Getting phone calls from my sister, my husband, trying to arrange the MRI, the surgeon's office. I did blow a small gasket and pitched a well-deserved fit. LOL! Right now I do not have any idea when the surgery will be performed. Not sure if it will be before or after the holidays. More to follow. Thanks for all the support, folks! Kathy

Kathy, So sorry to hear this news, but, you're right, if you have to get breast cancer, this is the one to get. I have a good friend who has had this for years, with no further progression of the disease. They haven't treated it at all, and jus****ch her closely with tests. I will be praying for you that you, too, will have this good prognosis. Debra M.

Kathy, I have been lurking but not actively posting (very busy at work). Breast cancer? I am so sorry. I heard a lot of survivor stories during my training and participation in the Breast Cancer 3-Day last year. It was such an amazing experience for me that I have already signed up to do it again in 2007. Hang in there. There is hope. My prayers are with you. Your surgery twin, J

Still praying for you, Kath! Keep us posted on what's going on. Hugs, Tracy

Thanks, Lori! I appreciate the support especially when someone has been there and done that. It does help. Pick up some Swedes for me, will ya? LOL! Have a great trip! A jealous Kathy (Ja!)