A new study offers important information for women diagnosed with a low-risk type of early-stage breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Researchers compared two approaches for managing low-risk DCIS:
- Active monitoring: Regular check-ups and imaging every 6 months
- Standard treatment: Surgery, with or without radiation
The study included 957 women, aged 40 or older, with hormone-positive, low-grade DCIS.
Key Findings
After about 3 years of follow-up:
- 4.2% of women in the active monitoring group developed invasive breast cancer
- 5.9% of women in the standard treatment group developed invasive breast cancer
This means active monitoring was not worse than standard treatment in preventing invasive cancer. When invasive cancers did occur, they were similar in both groups.
What This Means for Patients
- For some women with low-risk DCIS, active monitoring might be a safe alternative to immediate surgery.
- This approach could help avoid unnecessary treatments and their side effects for some patients.
Important Notes
- This study only followed patients for a short time (about 3 years). Longer follow-up is needed to confirm these results.
- The study only included certain types of low-risk DCIS. Not all DCIS patients may be suitable for active monitoring.
If you’ve been diagnosed with DCIS, talk to your doctor about whether active monitoring might be an option for you. Your individual situation, preferences, and risk factors should all be considered when making treatment decisions.
More Reading
Treatment of Breast Carcinoma in Situ
Treatment & Management of Breast Cancer
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Reference:
Hwang ES, Hyslop T, Lynch T, et al. Active Monitoring With or Without Endocrine Therapy for Low-Risk Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: The COMET Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. Published online December 12, 2024.
