OncotypeDX Test - Does everyone trust it 100%?

survivorbc09
survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have read on here where some women have had large tumors, a history of lumps, and grade 3 bc, and, still aren't taking chemo. I am just curious if everyone here feels that if the Oncotype test gives you a low grade that you just trust it 100% and chance not taking chemo, or, if you would still take chemo just to be sure, since that would be the recommended treatment if not for the low oncotype score?

I admit that I am not fully aware of how long the oncotype test has been in existance and how tested it is. Maybe someone can educate me on that.

Thanks!

Comments

  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #2
    Just one more tool...
    Survivor, I think since the test is not the only criteria that is used to determine if chemo is needed, it is still a very useful tool. Do I trust it 100%? Absolutely not.

    Neither do I trust any other test or opinion 100%. The reason being is that these test are only as good as the tech that is performing them. Their ability and knowlege all play a factor in the outcome.

    Although we hope for a person to be alert and fully capable of their job, how many of us have gone to work with little sleep? Maybe tired, stressed, not feeling well, preoccupied, etc.

    My point being that NO test should be trusted at 100%. There is always room for error. And look at Taleena...she has had the same test done 3x's with three different outcomes!

    That is where my faith will come in, so that I can accept that the results, and know that right or wrong, those results were meant for ME. I am living proof that because of a mistake in the medical field, my cancer was accidently found. That is the one time that I thank God that there was a mistake made!! :) Pammy
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #3
    Survivor
    Sorry, haven't had it, can't help. But, I don't believe they trust everything 100%, that is why we have so many different types of tests to give results on all areas.

    Cat
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #4
    cats_toy said:

    Survivor
    Sorry, haven't had it, can't help. But, I don't believe they trust everything 100%, that is why we have so many different types of tests to give results on all areas.

    Cat

    Nope, I didn't have it
    Nope, I didn't have it either because I don't believe in it nor would I trust the results. So, it wouldn't have mattered what it said. I had a very small tumor, clean nodes and margins, so no chemo. Just rads.
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    #5
    Survivor... I understand
    Survivor... I understand your skepticisum.... however.. the test has been used for a while now... it is however a tool, just like all the other tests that the doctors run... when they tell you that the chance of something is x percent... remember that it is only a statistical number... out of so many people who have y, x number get z... none of us is a statistic but an individual with an individaul make up of cells that behave differently... that lead to our individual dx....

    Having said all of that... thank God for research and those willing to participate in clinical trials... remember even the Mamogram had to be tested out... without the volunteers to do it, how far along would the beast have been within us...before our dx...?

    check out the web site if you want to...I even read the material for medical providers and how to read the results...it is very informative...

    www.oncotypedx.com

    Because all the information is statistical no test can be 100%...
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #6
    taleena said:

    Survivor... I understand
    Survivor... I understand your skepticisum.... however.. the test has been used for a while now... it is however a tool, just like all the other tests that the doctors run... when they tell you that the chance of something is x percent... remember that it is only a statistical number... out of so many people who have y, x number get z... none of us is a statistic but an individual with an individaul make up of cells that behave differently... that lead to our individual dx....

    Having said all of that... thank God for research and those willing to participate in clinical trials... remember even the Mamogram had to be tested out... without the volunteers to do it, how far along would the beast have been within us...before our dx...?

    check out the web site if you want to...I even read the material for medical providers and how to read the results...it is very informative...

    www.oncotypedx.com

    Because all the information is statistical no test can be 100%...

    I didn't have it done
    I didn't have it done either. It was offered, but, I don't believe in it. I had a lumpectomy and am now in rad treatments.
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #7
    susie09 said:

    I didn't have it done
    I didn't have it done either. It was offered, but, I don't believe in it. I had a lumpectomy and am now in rad treatments.

    Everyone talks about the
    Everyone talks about the percentages of a recurrence with this test. But, does it offer percentages of a new cancer happening? After all, those are 2 different things. I went to the website and it didn't offer any info about that. It also said that this test has only been in use since 2004. So, it has no long term results. I know it could be a good thing. I am just curious. Mainly because some bc survivors have everything that would point to the fact that they should take chemo, and, then they don't because of this test. Kind of leary of it, I guess. Thank you!
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #8
    survivorbc09 said:

    Everyone talks about the
    Everyone talks about the percentages of a recurrence with this test. But, does it offer percentages of a new cancer happening? After all, those are 2 different things. I went to the website and it didn't offer any info about that. It also said that this test has only been in use since 2004. So, it has no long term results. I know it could be a good thing. I am just curious. Mainly because some bc survivors have everything that would point to the fact that they should take chemo, and, then they don't because of this test. Kind of leary of it, I guess. Thank you!

    Hi survivor....
    I believe that the OncotypeDX testing is only for a recurrence of THAT cancer. The 21 genes that it is testing and uses are based only on the mutation from that cancer. However, there is a BRCA gene test that can be done where if you were positive for that gene, it can tell you the percentage of a new cancer as well. :) Pammy
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #9
    Akiss4me said:

    Hi survivor....
    I believe that the OncotypeDX testing is only for a recurrence of THAT cancer. The 21 genes that it is testing and uses are based only on the mutation from that cancer. However, there is a BRCA gene test that can be done where if you were positive for that gene, it can tell you the percentage of a new cancer as well. :) Pammy

    I didn't have it. It was
    I didn't have it. It was offered to me by my oncologist but I saw no reason for it. Not for sure what the need for it is.

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