Oncotype

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grandmagail
grandmagail Member Posts: 28
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I went back to the doctor and had my drains taken out yesterday after two weeks. They were draining too much on the first appt. One side didn't hurt at all and the other slightly. I feel so free now. They were really getting on my nerves.They gave me the okay for stretches and I can sleep on my side again! My doctor wants to have my tumor checked by Oncotype DX. She thinks that everything else, except the size of the tumor, is good and if this test comes back with really low numbers, I won't have to have chemo. The trick is getting my insurance to cover it. It's a costly test. Just wondering if anyone else has had this? I hope all you ladies have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. Gail

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  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #2
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    Ahhh...sleep on your side again. Isn't it great??
    Sorry I didn't have the option of getting the Oncotype DX test. I take it your nodes are clear?
    Congratulations! I don't know how much the test is but maybe it's cheaper than the chemo. The taxanes can run ~$4000 a shot (last I read), if you and your insurance company can avoid that it would be a win-win situation. Best of luck.
    cheers
    jan
  • ladybluepgh
    ladybluepgh Member Posts: 76
    #3
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    I got a call from the Oncotype Dx place telling me that it wasnt covered by my private insurance, but the lady informed me that they would fight to get it covered and that I would not be responsible for it ..so I had the test..wich my score came back to be in the intermediate range for recurrence and I didnt have to do the chemo...I am only on Arimidex. Hope this helps you...take care,happy thanksgiving to all.
  • grandmagail
    grandmagail Member Posts: 28
    #4
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    ladybluepgh said:

    I got a call from the Oncotype Dx place telling me that it wasnt covered by my private insurance, but the lady informed me that they would fight to get it covered and that I would not be responsible for it ..so I had the test..wich my score came back to be in the intermediate range for recurrence and I didnt have to do the chemo...I am only on Arimidex. Hope this helps you...take care,happy thanksgiving to all.

    Thank you. It did help. I haven't heard if the insurance will pay yet. I'm sure the holiday has it on hold. Seems they would pay...much less expensive than chemo. I feel really lucky to have clear nodes and at least the possibility of not having the chemo. Thanks for the replies.
  • 3cbrca
    3cbrca Member Posts: 206
    #5
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    If your insurance doesn't pay for it, ask your doctor about enrolling in the PACCT-1 clinical trial:
    http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search
    The purpose of the trial is to validate the onoctype testing and the test is done for free.

    hated those drains!
    she
  • teresaglea
    teresaglea Member Posts: 16
    #6
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    We decided the cost of the test would be worth not having to go through all the chemo. I had the test done and it said 37% chance of the cancer coming back with no chemo and 5% with the chemo. So I had the chemo. But it's great to know your REAL numbers and that's what this test gives you. Also my insurance DID pay for it. I didn't think they would but in the end they did. Good luck to you. TG

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