Onco-type DX test
Hi,
I was just wondering if anyone has had this test done? I know it's quite new in Ireland and I'd love to get some information about it before I commit - it's really expensive and I'm just afraid that I'll be wasting my money. Some advice would be greatly appreciated.
thanks x
I probably should have included that it's a genome test that takes a sample of your tumour after surgery and examines how well your cancer will respond to chemo, i have a grade 3 node negative estrogen receptive breast cancer. I've just turned 33 and am very worried that my chemo treatment will leave me infertile. My oncologist says there's a 20% chance of this happening balanced against a 5% chance of the cancer not recurring if I opt to have the chemo. I'm just concerned that for me personally the risks involved don't outweigh the benefits of chemo, but maybe I'm being naive about things.
My greatest fear is the issue of infertility afterwards, a one in five chance of this happening really terrifies me in addition to the whole process of chemo itself.
If anyone had any information re: fertility post-chemo I would greatly appreciate them sharing it with me as I'm weary of looking up websites and books and getting completely overloaded with so much information that my head is fried. I'd love to get some insight from someone who has been there and can possibly relate.
thanking you in advance,
H
Comments
Thanks Jeanette,
That's fantastic that you've finished chemo and are ovulating again! All the statistics the oncologist give seem very impersonal so it's great to know there's light at the end of the tunnel.
thanks for that,
H x
I did this test about 2 yrs ago as part of the trial. I was living in the US at the time.
It's defintiely worth doing as in my case, it determined that there wouldn't be a benefit for me to do chemo.
Ovulation wasn't an issue in my case.
Will your health insurance cover the test cost?
Hi Judi,
No only one of the health insurance companies is covering it in Ireland at the moment (unfortunately not the one that I'm with). I decided to go for it, it cost 3,000 euros (goodbye savings!) but after some consideration I decided it was worth a shot. I like the idea of getting the 10 year forecast that it claims to offer too. My oncologist didn't seem to think it was a good idea and reckoned I'd probably come back with a high score but I think it might give me some extra security for the future if the 10 year outlook is positive. Will have to wait and see I suppose.
Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.
Hi Holly
There was a trial called the TaylorX trial which sent samples to the USA for review to determine whether chemo was required. I know some ladies who either had or did not have chemo as a result of the findings. Unfortunately the trail stopped abou 12 months ago.
You dont metion your Her2 status. I'd imagine you are negative, however if you are positive chemo would nearly always be recommended.
On the topic of fertility. I was 40 just before chemo started. Went into Chemopause during chemo but my period returned about 4 months after my last chemo (apparently this is about average). I had been taking tamoxfin but was pulled off it and on to something else as I opted to take part in the SOFT trial.
L
Hi HollyH,
The Oncotype DX test wasn't available here when I was diagnosed in 2006 but I did hear a lot about it from US 'friends' that I met online. However, my sister had it done (for free) as part of the TaylorX trial last year. We liked the additional info it gave us about her tumour and the likelihood of recurrence (or not hopefully!). Also, it gave my sister more comfort that having chemo WAS necessary and WAS the right thing to do.
FYI - This test looks at the levels of several (20?) proteins in (or secreted by) your tumour and uses these levels to predict how likely your cancer is to spread, or recur over time. Bear in mind that it is all based on historical data and statistics and, regardless of what it says, nothing is cast in stone and YOU are not a statistic. They cannot say [b:2vjes94f]for certain[/b:2vjes94f] that your cancer will or will not return. They can only state the statistical likelihood of it. Of course, we will all be hoping that it says its highly unlikely to ever return and that it turns out to be spot on with its prediction. Pls let us know how you get on.
If you are worried about your fertility post chemo (and I cried more about this than about having cancer!), ask to be referred to a Gynae who can discuss your options with you. My chemo consultant said if I was in my twenties, he would be happy to put money on my fertility returning. If I was in my 40s, there was a higher chance it would not return but as I was in my 30s, it was 50/50.
I went to see a Gynae/Oncologist in the Mater and was given an injection called Decapeptyl every 3 months during chemo. It is basically a birth control drug I think but it shut down my ovaries BEFORE chemo and so protected them from its toxicity. However, it made the menopausal side effects during chemo worse - hot flushes and night sweats, ugh! But, I began ovulating and menstruating again just 5-6 wks after chemo ended. (Wasn't too chuffed at the menstruating bit returning so quickly!)
I also looked at the possibility of harvesting and freezing eggs but this was not an option for me as they need to give you hormones to cause you to overproduce eggs for harvesting and this was not a good idea for someone with an estrogen positive BC.
Keep us posted. Good luck!
Flo.
Hi Holly
I never heard of this test until your posting therefore cannot give any advice the only thing I will share with you is that completed chemo 28th Sept 2010 and started ovulating in November.
Sorry I cannot be of more help and wish you the best of luck with your decision.
Jeanette