Chemo test confusion
Friends saw on Sunrise yesterday morning a story that a dr has started a petition that has thousdands of signatures to get the government to fund this test that costs a lot that will show whether chem...
Forum Discussion
First up, well done for supporting your Mum, @PetraSminsk . I hope she is recovering well. It is vital to have family support ... if you go with her to her appts (and I hope someone does, specially for the pathology results this week), maybe record them on your phone as it is hard to remember everything that is said.
I agree that it should be made available early to all diagnosed with cancer as it will streamline the choices and give targeted therapy instead of just choosing ‘the usual’ ...
Not everyone loses their hair ... they try to target it for the best results with the least side effects .... the biopsy results will determine her ongoing treatment plan.
The Oncotype DX test is based on genomic science. While genomics and genetics may sound similar, and are indeed related, they focus on different information. Genetics can help to tell you your risk for getting cancer, while genomics can help once you have cancer to choose your course of care.
so if she DID get it done, I’d go with a trusted Aussie company, as they would only recommend already approved drugs .... tho .... there are also many trials being done .... maybe mention that to the surgeon.
Ask about Immunotherapy as well? These are drugs that work well with some cancers, even putting people into complete remission! Some are given the drugs on compassionate grounds too, either cheaper or free, as they can be very expensive. For example, If she is Her2-positive ... she may be able to go onto Herceptin (depending on her pathology results.)
There are a few different ‘brand’ genome tests available that check the DNA of the cancer to see if it has mutated from the ‘original’ ... and they then suggest specific drugs to combat it, if there are any. The tests are usually about $5000 - and eventually will be subsidised ... just not right now. :(
We had it done for my husband in Jan (in the USA) but the available drugs were not approved for use in Australia. So whilst it didn’t help him, as such, it may help someone else further down the track when the drugs are finally approved.
It is a scary time for you, your Mum and the whole family and friends .... keep in coming bract and ask any questions and we will help if we can. Just knowing we are here to help, may ease the journey for her. Does she use the computer much? She may like to join herself.
take care, and let us know how she goes after seeing the surgeon.
You are not alone ... lean on us xx
I agree that it should be made available early to all diagnosed with cancer as it will streamline the choices and give targeted therapy instead of just choosing ‘the usual’ ...
Not everyone loses their hair ... they try to target it for the best results with the least side effects .... the biopsy results will determine her ongoing treatment plan.
The Oncotype DX test is based on genomic science. While genomics and genetics may sound similar, and are indeed related, they focus on different information. Genetics can help to tell you your risk for getting cancer, while genomics can help once you have cancer to choose your course of care.
so if she DID get it done, I’d go with a trusted Aussie company, as they would only recommend already approved drugs .... tho .... there are also many trials being done .... maybe mention that to the surgeon.
Ask about Immunotherapy as well? These are drugs that work well with some cancers, even putting people into complete remission! Some are given the drugs on compassionate grounds too, either cheaper or free, as they can be very expensive. For example, If she is Her2-positive ... she may be able to go onto Herceptin (depending on her pathology results.)
There are a few different ‘brand’ genome tests available that check the DNA of the cancer to see if it has mutated from the ‘original’ ... and they then suggest specific drugs to combat it, if there are any. The tests are usually about $5000 - and eventually will be subsidised ... just not right now. :(
We had it done for my husband in Jan (in the USA) but the available drugs were not approved for use in Australia. So whilst it didn’t help him, as such, it may help someone else further down the track when the drugs are finally approved.
It is a scary time for you, your Mum and the whole family and friends .... keep in coming bract and ask any questions and we will help if we can. Just knowing we are here to help, may ease the journey for her. Does she use the computer much? She may like to join herself.
take care, and let us know how she goes after seeing the surgeon.
You are not alone ... lean on us xx