Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)

Healthcare providers detect over 90% of DCIS cases during mammograms. If you receive suspicious mammogram results, they’ll do a biopsy.

Mammogram. In addition to a routine screening mammogram, your healthcare provider might order a diagnostic mammogram. This test provides more detailed views of your breast tissue. It takes longer than a screening mammogram.
Breast biopsy. Healthcare providers use this test to confirm that cancer cells are in your breast (s).

Grades of DCIS

Healthcare providers categorize DCIS into three grades:

Low (slow-growing). The cancer cells look a lot like healthy breast cells.
Intermediate (fast-growing). The abnormal cells sort of look like healthy breast cells.
High (growing uncontrollably). The cancer cells look completely different from healthy breast cells.

Stages of DCIS

Ductal carcinoma in situ is a highly treatable and curable stage 0 breast cancer. Healthcare providers classify cancer into stages from 0 to IV (4). Although DCIS is always stage 0, the tumor can be any size and may be located within several milk ducts inside of your breast.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.