Happy Saturday Everyone, Okay What Is This?

2Floridiansisters

OncotypeDX test, Who has it done, and when? And What does it tell you?

Still gathering up all my knowledge,

Thanks for your help!

Love Ronda

KayNYC

In brief, the OncotypeDX
In brief, the OncotypeDX test helps doctors predict if breast cancer will return and assists in determining the proper cancer treatment.My treatment team did not think it necessary with my particular case so did not order it. I have heard that it is an expensive test and many insurance companies fight paying for it. Generally, it is done before treatment planning.
Hope this helps.Have a good weekend.
Hugs, K

Christine Louise

Hi, sugar
Here's from my OncotypeDX booklet (with a small amount of editing from me to keep it shorter):

Oncotype DX is a diagnostic test that helps identify which women with EARLY-STAGE, ESTROGEN RECEPTOR-POSITIVE (ER+) and LYMPH NODE-NEGATIVE breast cancer are more likely to benefit from adding chemotherapy to their hormonal treatment. The test also assesses the likelihood that a woman's breast cancer will return. This information may be useful in helping you and your doctor make decisions about your treatment.

What the test measures: the activitiy of different genes in a woman's breast tumor tissue.

The test is performed on tumor tissue that was removed during your surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy or core biopsy). You will NOT have to go through any additional surgery or procedure to get the test.

Recurrence Score: Women with lower scores have a lower risk of cancer returning. They have cancer that is less likely to benefit from chemo. A lower score does not mean there is no chance of cancer returning.

Women with higher scores have a stronger chance cancer will return. They may also gain a large benefit from chemo. A higher score does NOT mean that cancer definitely will return.

The test also provides info such as activity levels of estrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors in your tumor, to help guide treatment.

Ronda, I had a 15% chance of recurrance within 10 years without chemo. Many women would not choose chemo with this percentage, but I did. It was up to me. Hope this helps answer your question.

2Floridiansisters

KayNYC said:

In brief, the OncotypeDX
In brief, the OncotypeDX test helps doctors predict if breast cancer will return and assists in determining the proper cancer treatment.My treatment team did not think it necessary with my particular case so did not order it. I have heard that it is an expensive test and many insurance companies fight paying for it. Generally, it is done before treatment planning.
Hope this helps.Have a good weekend.
Hugs, K

Hi KayNYC
Yes that explains it to me, so it's after the surgery then, right? I have TriCare Prime, it's military insurance , I have no idea if they'll cover the cost, but now that I read what you say, I want it. I want to know what my odds are even if I won't like hearing the answer, at least I can be a bit prepared. .

Thank you!

Love Ronda

Christine Louise

OncotypeDX and costs
The makers of OncotypeDX have a surprisingly generous patient assistance program that picked up our costs for the test!

A representative from Genomic Health, makers of the test, called us and talked it all over after the oncologist ordered it.

2Floridiansisters

Christine Louise said:

Hi, sugar
Here's from my OncotypeDX booklet (with a small amount of editing from me to keep it shorter):

Oncotype DX is a diagnostic test that helps identify which women with EARLY-STAGE, ESTROGEN RECEPTOR-POSITIVE (ER+) and LYMPH NODE-NEGATIVE breast cancer are more likely to benefit from adding chemotherapy to their hormonal treatment. The test also assesses the likelihood that a woman's breast cancer will return. This information may be useful in helping you and your doctor make decisions about your treatment.

What the test measures: the activitiy of different genes in a woman's breast tumor tissue.

The test is performed on tumor tissue that was removed during your surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy or core biopsy). You will NOT have to go through any additional surgery or procedure to get the test.

Recurrence Score: Women with lower scores have a lower risk of cancer returning. They have cancer that is less likely to benefit from chemo. A lower score does not mean there is no chance of cancer returning.

Women with higher scores have a stronger chance cancer will return. They may also gain a large benefit from chemo. A higher score does NOT mean that cancer definitely will return.

The test also provides info such as activity levels of estrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors in your tumor, to help guide treatment.

Ronda, I had a 15% chance of recurrance within 10 years without chemo. Many women would not choose chemo with this percentage, but I did. It was up to me. Hope this helps answer your question.

Hi Christine!
Thanks fpr adding all this other information, it not only helps me but everyone else who doesn't have a clue.

I will be just like you, I want to do all I can to never see this nightmare again. Thanks for the explanation.

All I know so far about me is I am Er+ PR+ and Her-, that's about it for limedted knowledge.

Take care,

Love Ronda

DianeBC

2Floridiansisters said:

Hi KayNYC
Yes that explains it to me, so it's after the surgery then, right? I have TriCare Prime, it's military insurance , I have no idea if they'll cover the cost, but now that I read what you say, I want it. I want to know what my odds are even if I won't like hearing the answer, at least I can be a bit prepared. .

Thank you!

Love Ronda

It is done after your
It is done after your surgery. Some insurance companies will cover it. Best to check with them first. Good luck!

Angie2U

2Floridiansisters said:

Hi Christine!
Thanks fpr adding all this other information, it not only helps me but everyone else who doesn't have a clue.

I will be just like you, I want to do all I can to never see this nightmare again. Thanks for the explanation.

All I know so far about me is I am Er+ PR+ and Her-, that's about it for limedted knowledge.

Take care,

Love Ronda

How do you know that you are
How do you know that you are ER and PR+? I didn't think you had surgery yet Ronda. I didn't know until after my lumpectomy and the path report.

2Floridiansisters

Angie2U said:

How do you know that you are
How do you know that you are ER and PR+? I didn't think you had surgery yet Ronda. I didn't know until after my lumpectomy and the path report.

Hello Angie2U
I was given 2 pieces of paper after I went back to The Ann Baroco Breast Center on the day they told me my results for my steriotatic core biopsy. It says it right on there and when I went to the surgeon's office to discuss my MRI the breast Care Nurse Specialist told me this also. So that's how I know, but I don't have any idea what it really means. The other paper said what type of breast cancer I have.

GayleMc

Christine Louise said:

OncotypeDX and costs
The makers of OncotypeDX have a surprisingly generous patient assistance program that picked up our costs for the test!

A representative from Genomic Health, makers of the test, called us and talked it all over after the oncologist ordered it.

The Onco/DX test really
The Onco/DX test really helped me make the difficult decision to go with chemo. My parents were retired military and TriCare is a very good thing to have. I would be very surprised if they didn't cover your test if you need it.

sbmly53

It helped me to decide on chemo
Because I was terrified of it and of the surgery to install the port (even though surgery doesn't, in itself, scare me). Onco informed me that the test cost $4,000, and they could assist if my insurance wouldn't cover. I was fortunate that I was covered and my score was 4, so I opted for no chemo and hope and pray every day that I made the right decision.

Sue