283. She Invented Sensation-Preserving Mastectomy—Then Needed It Herself: The Truth About DCIS, Recurrence, and Surgery

Love the podcast? Send us a text!What happens when a breast surgeon becomes a breast cancer patient—and then faces a second diagnosis years later?In this deeply personal and illuminating episode of Breast Cancer Conversations, host Laura Carfang is joined by Dr. Anne Peled, a board-certified breast, reconstructive, and plastic surgeon who has treated thousands of patients—and also navigated her own early-stage breast cancer diagnosis, followed years later by a new primary DCIS diagnosis.Together, Laura and Dr. Peled unpack what patients are rarely told about DCIS (stage zero breast cancer), the difference between recurrence and a second primary cancer, and how advances in surgery are transforming survivorship—including sensation-preserving mastectomy.This conversation bridges clinical expertise and lived experience, offering clarity, compassion, and permission to choose the path that aligns with your body and values.In this episode: What DCIS really is—and why “stage zero” can be misleadingRecurrence vs. second primary breast cancer: why biology mattersLumpectomy vs. mastectomy and why survival outcomes are often the sameHow guilt and self-blame show up after a second diagnosisBeing diagnosed with breast cancer as a physicianNavigating treatment when your colleagues are your caregiversThe evolution of oncoplastic surgery and patient-centered careWhy loss of breast sensation is under-discussed—but life-changingHow sensation-preserving mastectomy worksWhat questions to ask your surgeon about sensation, nerves, and recoveryMaking decisions based on your priorities—not fear or pressureAbout today's guestDr. Anne Peled is a board-certified plastic, reconstructive, and breast surgeon in private practice in San Francisco and Co-Director of the Sutter Health California Pacific Medical Center Breast Cancer Center of Excellence. Trained at Amherst College, Harvard Medical School, and UCSF, Dr. Peled completed a unique fellowship combining breast oncologic surgery and reconstruction.Her clinical and research work focuses on oncoplastic surgery, preserving and restoring sensation after mastectomy, improving patient outcomes, and breast cancer risk reduction. She is also a breast cancer survivor herself, bringing rare dual insight to patient care. Support the showListener FeedbackIf this episode resonated with you, we invite you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.You can also click the link in the show notes that says "Love this episode? Send us a text" to share feedback.Messages are completely anonymous.If you would like us to follow up directly, please include your email address in your message so we can respond.Latest News: Join our Mailing List - New content drops every Monday! Discover FREE programs, support groups, and resources from SurvivingBReastCancer.org! Become a Breast Cancer Conversations+ Member! Sign Up Now. Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our work.