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Archives: Month: March 2026

  • March 24, 2026

    Navigating DCIS Outside the Traditional Path: Insights from a New Study

    A newly published study in Sociology of Health & Illness explores how some women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are navigating their diagnosis outside the traditional treatment pathway. Rather than following standard-of-care approaches such as surgery or radiation, these women are turning to an online community to help make sense of their diagnosis, weigh treatment decisions, and find support. The study offers a window into how patients understand risk, interact with the medical system, and navigate uncertainty in the absence of clear answers.

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  • March 20, 2026

    Why is DCIS Often Overtreated and What Can We Do About It?

    There is growing concern about the overtreatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), meaning many individuals receive treatments that may not improve long-term outcomes. Overtreatment refers to treating a disease or condition even though it may not have caused symptoms or affected a patient’s lifespan. While DCIS can progress to invasive breast cancer, studies suggest that a substantial proportion of cases may remain harmless if left untreated, and that standard treatments carry physical and emotional side effects. This post explores why overtreatment is a concern and what emerging evidence shows.

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  • March 4, 2026

    DCIS Understood at RISE UP: Prevention, Possibility, and Reimagining Breast Cancer Care

    Last month, DCIS Understood had the honor of attending—and presenting at—the RISE UP (Revolutionizing Investigations to StEp Up Prevention) for Breast Cancer and Women’s Health conference hosted by UCSF. RISE UP is not a typical breast cancer conference. Its focus extends beyond treatment into prevention, early intervention, equity, innovation, and women’s health more broadly. The unifying message throughout the program was clear: we must think earlier, think differently, and think more holistically about breast cancer care. That framing could not be more relevant to DCIS.

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  • March 2, 2026

    Out of Patients Podcast: “The Nicest Bus in Cancer” with Julia Stalder

    We’re excited to share a powerful new conversation on the Out of Patients with Matthew Zachary podcast, where DCIS Understood founder, Julia Stalder, discusses DCIS, active surveillance, and why the phrase “the best kind of breast cancer” can be so misleading. In the episode, titled “The Nicest Bus in Cancer,” Julia reflects on her own diagnosis and the broader challenges facing DCIS patients today. 

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