Eliminating "ductal carcinoma in situ" and "lobular carcinoma in situ'' (DCIS and LCIS) terminology in clinical breast practice : the cognitive psychology point of view

There is evidence from the literature that the terms \u201cductal carcinoma in situ\u201d and \u201clobular carcinoma in situ\u201d (DCIS and LCIS) should be eliminated in clinical breast cancer practice and replaced with the new \u201cductal intraepithelial neoplasia\u201d (DIN) and \u201clobular intraepithelial neoplasia\u201d (LIN) terminology. The main purpose of the present article is to expand on this argument from a cognitive psychology perspective and offer suggestions for further research, emphasizing how the elimination of the term \u201ccarcinoma\u201d in \u201cin situ\u201d breast cancer diagnoses has the potential to reduce both patient and health care professional confusion and misperceptions that are often associated with the DCIS and LCIS diagnoses, as well as limit the adverse psychological effects of women receiving a DCIS or LCIS diagnosis. We comment on the recent peer-reviewed literature on the clinical implications and psychological consequences for breast cancer patients receiving a DCIS or LCIS diagnosis and we use a cognitive perspective to offer new insight into the benefits of embracing the new DIN and LIN terminology. Using cognitive psychology and cognitive science in general, as a foundation, further research is advocated in order to yield data in support of changing the terminology and therefore, offer a chance to significantly improve the lives and psychological sequelae of women facing such a diagnosis