Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the most common non-invasive form of breast cancer. Although it can be detected during a routine
mammogram, and is well-contained within a milk duct, if left untreated it may become invasive. Not all cases of DCIS are just like, and scientists do not yet fully understand the natural course of the disease. It is highly treatable with surgery, and hormonal therapy such as
Tamoxifen can help prevent a recurrence. But which cases of DCIS might become invasive, and which might recur? How many cases of DCIS may be missed by screening mammography, and what other imaging technologies might be used to increase the accuracy of screening? The National Institutes of Health is going to hold a conference in September to discuss these questions. The meeting will take audience input, scientific evidence, and new research - and then report on the collective answers to critical questions about how to detect, diagnose, and treat DCIS. The meeting is free and open to the public at NIH in Bethesda, Maryland from September 22-24, 2009. If you can't attend but want to participate, check out their
conference webcast. If DCIS, which is so small it is often called Stage 0, can be accurately detected and effectively treated - before it has a chance to invade and spread - many people may be able to avoid a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and recurrence. Now that would be a great outcome, which I hope will someday soon be achieved!
