A sacrifice for others? Ethical dilemmas surrounding the UK randomised trial for the management of screen-detected ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

ABSTRACT

Asymptomatic ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive breast lesion for which an effective treatment has yet to be ascertained. Women diagnosed with DCIS are therefore given the choice of either participating in a trial or choosing their own treatment. This raises a series of ethical dilemmas for both the patient and community health team.