How Precision Medicine Is Changing DCIS Care
A DCIS diagnosis can feel like a whirlwind. Stage 0, non-invasive—but suddenly, you’re facing decisions about treatment and risk. How likely is it to return? Will radiation really help? These are questions every woman wants clear answers to.
The good news: precision medicine is changing the conversation. Tools like DCISionRT allow you to understand your individual risk and personalize your care in ways that were not possible just a few years ago.
Understanding DCIS and Risk
DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) means abnormal cells are confined to the milk ducts—they have not invaded surrounding tissue. But not all DCIS behaves the same way:
- Some cases grow slowly with a low risk of recurrence
- Others are biologically active with a higher risk of recurrence
Even two women with the same Stage 0 diagnosis can face very different risks, which is why treatment decisions should be individualized.
What “Risk” Really Means
When your doctor talks about risk, they’re considering:
- The chance of DCIS returning in the same breast
- The chance it could return as invasive breast cancer
- Low risk: likelihood of recurrence is small; additional treatment may offer minimal benefit
- Higher risk: recurrence chance is greater; radiation may significantly reduce risk
Understanding your personal risk helps guide which treatments truly matter for you.
Enter DCISionRT: Precision in Action
DCISionRT, developed by PreludeDx, goes beyond traditional factors like size, grade, and margins. Instead, it evaluates the biology of your tumor:
- How aggressively your DCIS cells are behaving
- Whether radiation therapy will meaningfully reduce your risk
How It Works
- Uses tissue removed during your initial biopsy or post-surgical lumpectomy
- No extra surgery or imaging required
- Results typically return in 3–5 days once the lab receives your tissue
Your results include a Decision Score (0–10):
- Lower risk (0–3): low recurrence risk; radiation adds little to no benefit
- Elevated risk (>3): higher risk; radiation is likely to help
This score is a tool for understanding, not a directive—empowering you to make informed decisions alongside your care team.
A Patient Story
“I got a little bit of pushback,” LeeAnne says.
“The doctors weren’t familiar with the test and said I needed to follow the ‘standard of care’ — radiation after surgery.
But in my gut, this just seemed like too much.”
-LeeAnne, DCIS Breast Cancer Survivor
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- What is my risk of recurrence, including invasive cancer?
- How much would radiation therapy reduce my risk?
- Am I a candidate for DCISionRT?
- How will my test results guide treatment choices?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do all women with DCIS need radiation?
A: Not necessarily. Each case is influenced by tumor biology, age, and surgical outcomes.
Q2. Can DCIS come back as invasive cancer?
A: Yes. Personalized tools like DCISionRT help clarify your risk and whether radiation could meaningfully reduce it.
Q3. Who is eligible for DCISionRT?
A: Typically, women ages 30–85 with DCIS of any grade or hormone receptor type. Your doctor can guide eligibility.
Q4. How long does it take to get results?
A: Typically 3–5 days after tissue is received in the lab.
Q5. Is the test validated?
A: Yes. Thousands of patients and multiple studies support its use in guiding personalized DCIS care.
Your Path, Your Choice
Precision medicine allows your care to reflect your biology, your risk, and your values. Your DCISionScore provides clarity, not fear. Together with your care team, you can make choices that feel right for you.
Understanding your biology → your score → your understanding → your path
At Learn Look Locate, our mission is to empower every woman to feel informed, confident, and supported in her breast health decisions.
Disclosure: This educational content is provided in collaboration with PreludeDx. All treatment decisions should be made with your own care team.
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