Ana turned 40 during the height of Covid-19. So, like many women, she delayed her first mammogram appointment. But unlike many women, she would be diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or Stage 0 breast cancer.

A mother to four boys, Ana has a busy life and likes to schedule routine appointments around her birthday. “It just makes it easier for me to remember.” So, in April 2021, Ana, now 41, went in for her first mammogram. The radiologist identified some calcifications and referred Ana for a diagnostic mammogram and then a biopsy. This was surprising to Ana, given her age and no family history of breast cancer. Following the biopsy, Ana was diagnosed with DCIS. In addition, the doctors identified another suspicious area and sent Ana for an MRI and another biopsy to rule out cancer. Luckily, this biopsy was benign.

“My DCIS was small, only 6mm, but considered high grade. A mastectomy wasn’t necessary and so my breast surgeon recommended a lumpectomy followed by radiation. Everything was happening so fast. They rushed me from one test to another. I didn’t feel as though I had time to process or consider what was right for me.”

Ana started reading, researching, and connecting with other DCIS patients on social media. It was in one of these Facebook groups that she learned about the DCISionRT® test.

“It was all so overwhelming. I was concerned about radiation therapy, side effects and the possibility of overtreatment. DCISionRT really caught my attention because it could tell me if I personally could benefit from radiation therapy, and I thought that was really important. It wasn’t just based on the ‘standard of care’ but care according to my individual situation. I knew it would help me feel more confident in my decision.”

Ana discussed the test with her radiation oncologist who ordered it for her. When her DCISionRT test results arrived, her decision was easy. Her Decision Score was a 10, the highest score you can have. Her risk of invasive cancer within 10 years was 50% without radiation and 18% with radiation.

“DCISionRT removed any doubt about moving forward with radiation therapy. I didn’t have many side effects and I took really good care of my skin to minimize skin damage.”

“Now, I am doing fine. My medical oncologist has recommended Tamoxifen for prevention. I’m considering it. In the meantime, I’m enjoying my family.”