New diagnosis of lobular carcinoma in situ

[ncmichigan]

I'm 61. I had needle loc biopsies for two clusters of microcalcifications a week ago. My surgeon said they didn't look suspicious, but the radiologist said one was "more suspicious" than the other when she talked to my primary care doc.  This is my third biopsy in five years--the other two were for fibroadenomas but path reports also showed moderate hyperplasia, sclerosing adenosis and radial scar. My sister died of breast cancer at age 50, my maternal grandmother also died of it, I have a first cousin survivor and I have never been pregnant.
I am currently feeling a bit confused and anxious as my surgeon said one biopsy showed LCIS. I'm very relieved it's not cancer, but I'm concerned about this risk on top of all my other risk factors. I have my follow up appointment Tuesday. I have some ideas about what I should be asking but maybe others have more information? I'm feeling a lot of anxiety based on all the various information I've read and the "grayness" with this diagnoisis. I'm also a retired nurse and feel I should know more than I do about this diagnosis, but I've been out of clinical practice for about 20 years! I also know medicine isn't always "black or white", but I wish it was for me in this case. Any information or help anyone can give me will be very much appreciated.

[ncmichigan]

Thanks so much for your reply and encouragement. I think I'm just getting through the
anxiety of the biopsies and the results. I had hoped for a totally benign result and this was a bit of a surprise. My father-in-law died three years ago from  acute leukemia
and his oncologist was super nice. He even sent us a hand-written sympathy note after he passed away. I also trust his professional opinions very much. Since he's also a breast cancer specialist, and within my healthcare system, I'm going to ask for a consultation with him. Hopefully, he can give me more detailed information and ease
my anxiety.
PS: Believe me, I have a long list of questions for my surgeon and PCP already written up! I am definitely a believer that the more the patient knows, the better!

[japdip]

It is true that even though LCIS does include the word "carcinoma" it is not a true cancer. As you know it does increase your risk of developing BC in the future. As a rule the treatment is extra surveilance in the future and also Tamoxifen is sometimes prescribed to lessen the risk. Some, and this is rather drastic, choose to have a Mastectomy but this is known to reduce the risk. You might consider a consult with an Oncologist for an opinion in your particular circumstances since you have other risk factors as well. I don't think you should feel "lacking" in knowledge here; when it's YOU it's a different thing altogether !!Write down whatever comes to mind, no matter how minor it seems ... the only foolish question is the one that goes unanswered !!