Hi - Welcome to the club no one wants to join! Sorry for the reason you're here, but so glad you've found us. This is a great resource for information, and a wonderfully supportive community of women.

First, please read our IDC FAQS. Luckily, since IDC is by far the most common type of breast cancer, there's lots of data on treatment, so you'll most likely be getting "the standard protocol." What will this include? Surgery; then either radiation, chemo, or both. Following that, there's a good chance you'll take anti-cancer hormone drugs for 5 to 10 years.

Once you have your surgery and know more about your particular diagnosis, your oncologist will be able to lay out a specific treatment plan for you. You might have a choice between mastectomy, and breast-conservation surgery (lumpectomy), if the tumor is small enough. If you have a mastectomy, you'll also be asked whether or not you want a breast reconstruction; and if so, what kind.

Whether or not you have chemo will also depend on the aggressiveness of the cancer, and whether it's spread beyond your breast. Whether you take long-term hormone drugs will depend on your specific sub-type of IDC. So - you'll be getting a lot more information in the weeks to come.

In the meantime, please read the following links if you like - I think you'll find them helpful.

The First 48 Hours

I Have Breast Cancer – Now What? A Step-by-Step Guide to Treatment

Breaking the “I Have Cancer” News: 10 Strategies for Communication

Cracking the Code: Breast Cancer Vocabulary 

Help with Decision Making

Best of luck to you- PJH