Oncotype Testing
I was diagnosed with Early Cancer - Oestrogen Positive - 3 February 2022. Since then I have had surgery to remove the lump. I saw my oncologist this week for a treatment plan. Due to my history,...
Forum Discussion
@SylviaM - I am sorry you are in this situation - but welcome to our 'exclusive club' that no-one ever thought they'd have to join. Whack up any question & we'll do our best to support you xx
We had to have genome testing for my husband's cancer & it cost about the same, but luckily, we had some spare cash, so went ahead with it. Sometimes, some of the treatments are also not covered on PBS yet & require payments too ... :(
it really is shocking that there is no rebate as i believe this test should be the first one done on patients, not reliant on your ability to pay for it! As when this test is done, it will identify what treatment will be most beneficial for you, straight up - which in the long term, will save the Gov on paying for useless treatment 'on a guess' or on other people's protocols was in the past, which is basically how they currently 'guess it' ......
There ARE some wonderful beneficial philanthropic groups out there that may be able to help with payments that put pressure on you, even Council Fees, etc- Can Assist, Cancer Council are 2 - Do you have access to a Social Worker at your Cancer Centre? I see you are in the Mid North Coast area, as am I - I had my radiation treatment at Port Mac Cancer Centre, where I had a huge meltdown during my radiation - and the Social Worker arranged for a payment to help me out (when I got a surprise $500 invoice for my tumour pathology that wasn't covered by medicare or anything else) .... This was a huge shock as I thought all these necessary tests were 'covered' & it tipped me over the edge for a while! Feel free to message me, if you like, on anything. (click on my name & then on the envelope.)
Being 'rural - you are also eligible to claim for travel & accommodation rebates for petrol & motel costs when you have to travel more than 200k in one week for multiple trips of less than 100k each way, or single trips that are in excess of 100k each way. You need your GP and/or Specialist to sign off the initial referral form ... and can claim online. (See guidelines form at the bottom)
Jump onto this thread for a lot of general info on the forum & different areas you may be interested in (outside of BC ...)
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
Take care & all the best for your ongoing treatment xx
We had to have genome testing for my husband's cancer & it cost about the same, but luckily, we had some spare cash, so went ahead with it. Sometimes, some of the treatments are also not covered on PBS yet & require payments too ... :(
it really is shocking that there is no rebate as i believe this test should be the first one done on patients, not reliant on your ability to pay for it! As when this test is done, it will identify what treatment will be most beneficial for you, straight up - which in the long term, will save the Gov on paying for useless treatment 'on a guess' or on other people's protocols was in the past, which is basically how they currently 'guess it' ......
There ARE some wonderful beneficial philanthropic groups out there that may be able to help with payments that put pressure on you, even Council Fees, etc- Can Assist, Cancer Council are 2 - Do you have access to a Social Worker at your Cancer Centre? I see you are in the Mid North Coast area, as am I - I had my radiation treatment at Port Mac Cancer Centre, where I had a huge meltdown during my radiation - and the Social Worker arranged for a payment to help me out (when I got a surprise $500 invoice for my tumour pathology that wasn't covered by medicare or anything else) .... This was a huge shock as I thought all these necessary tests were 'covered' & it tipped me over the edge for a while! Feel free to message me, if you like, on anything. (click on my name & then on the envelope.)
Being 'rural - you are also eligible to claim for travel & accommodation rebates for petrol & motel costs when you have to travel more than 200k in one week for multiple trips of less than 100k each way, or single trips that are in excess of 100k each way. You need your GP and/or Specialist to sign off the initial referral form ... and can claim online. (See guidelines form at the bottom)
Jump onto this thread for a lot of general info on the forum & different areas you may be interested in (outside of BC ...)
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
Take care & all the best for your ongoing treatment xx