Trying to evaluate my risk factors

[BillieS]

I am 67, have been diagnosed with multi-focal LCIS with a sister who has infiltrating ductile carcinoma estrogen and progesterone receptor positive.  Does my age increase or decrease my risk factor for developing invasive breast cancer?

[jmph]

Hi, I have DCIS and am considering my options.  In researching I have found that years ago surgery was recommended for LCIS, but no longer.  I thought now it was more typical to monitor the progress, and just look for changes.  I am a lot younger, 50, and wish so much that I could have LCIS and not look at the surgery option, which seems to be my only option with DCIS.  Of course with your family history I can understand your wanting to take the safest option possible.  I just wanted you to be aware that there are studies of women with LCIS that have chosen not to have surgery and most, 47 or 51 never needed it and were healthy.  I do not have the statistics all memorized, so I encourage you to find out if you're curious.  Best of luck to you whatever you decide.

[BillieS]

Thank you for the added help.  I have discussed these things with a breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon as well as finding much information through the internet.  Have really made the decision for the mastectomies but wanted to be sure I had confirmed my own theory with a third party who was not involved.

Thank you so much.  This is a wonderful service you are performing in addition to all the other good things you do each day as a doctor.

BillieS

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Increasing age increases the risk of cancer, not just for breast.  considering that you have a family history and a previous history of LCIS, these all the more increases your risk for a future invasive cancer.  

I believe that you are a candidate for risk lowering strategies such as taking hormonal agents (raloxifene or tamoxifen), or surgery (mastectomy).  All of these should be discussed with an oncologist or surgeon.

Regards.