Forum Discussion

LauraB27's avatar
LauraB27
Member
3 months ago

Genomic Testing experiences

Hi all, 

I’m a 46 year old mother of two older teenage boys and was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2025. I have since had a lumpectomy and sentinel node clearance and been advised I had Stage 1 Grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features with clear margins and no node involvement. My tumour was 16mm and is ER/PR positive and HER2 negative. I saw my medical oncologist on Friday and we discussed will be radiation and hormone therapy with Tamoxifen for up to 10 years if I tolerate it. 
My online prediction is that chemo will be of no benefit to me but my oncologist did discuss the genomic testing and that it was my decision as to whether I have it or not but if I did want to go ahead I would need to make a decision quickly as I am already nearly 3 weeks post op.

I am looking for advice or peoples experiences as to if they were offered the test and what they did. I know everyone is different and that the cost would be prohibitive for a lot of people. We can afford to do it but I’m unsure as to if it is a good idea or not. 

thank you in advance for any advice or experience you’d like to share and good luck with all your journeys x

genomic testing
treatment decisions

8 Replies

  • Helen65's avatar
    Helen65
    Member
    2 months ago

    Hi LauraB27

    I am thinking of the Oncotype dx test. I have also read a lot about it. How did things go for you? Did it make a difference to your treatment choices?

    Thank you for sharing and I hope you are travelling okay.

    • LauraB27's avatar
      LauraB27
      Member
      2 months ago

      Hi Helen,

      I did do the test as I wanted to have peace of mind knowing my tumour had been tested, as I’m a what if person and I didn’t want to always wonder. My score came back in the middle bracket which showed that there would be a small benefit to having chemo but it was ultimately my decision. I decided to go ahead with chemo as I felt better knowing I threw everything at it and I was dealing in small percentages with the radiation and hormone therapy anyway. I have had one round of chemo which was tough but I got through it. Have my next one on Monday. I hope you are travelling well and that my sharing maybe helps.

      • Helen65's avatar
        Helen65
        Member
        2 months ago

        Hi Laura

        Thank you for getting back to me. I met with my Oncologist this afternoon. I have decided to go ahead with chemo. I am already week 4 post surgery and with a grade 3 cancer with lymphovascular invasion, I was worried about waiting another 2 to 3 weeks for a result with the testing. Your sharing has helped me. I know I have made the right decision now because like you I just want to throw everything at this. My thoughts are with you next Monday. Stay strong. 

    • Jane123's avatar
      Jane123
      Member
      2 months ago

      Hi Helen, 

      I had the Oncotype DX test after a mastectomy and reconstruction in 2018 and cancer recurrence in the skin in 2024. Considering I had recurrence of a low risk cancer I thought it would be worth it for peace of mind. It reassured me that chemotherapy is still not recommended. Very happy I had the test despite the cost. 

      • Helen65's avatar
        Helen65
        Member
        2 months ago

        Thanks Jane. I am new to this group and am finding it a valuable place to share experiences. I see my Oncologist tomorrow. My cancer is grade 3 and pathology showed lymphovascular invasion, though the nodes were clear, thankfully. I am week 4 post op and worried about delaying the start of treatment by another couple of weeks waiting for the results of the test. I know that’s a discussion to have with the Oncologist tomorrow. However , I don’t want to put myself through chemotherapy if it is not needed. Your feedback has helped me. Thank you again. You can’t put a price on peace of mind.

  • HannahMich's avatar
    HannahMich
    Member
    3 months ago

    Hello LauraB27

    I had the Endopredict test in December 2024, after a mastectomy in November. I found it beneficial as it showed I was just over the threshold for 'high risk' of distant recurrence and for me it made me feel more confident in the decision to proceed and stick with chemotherapy - something I had hoped to avoid as I was node negative, stage 2A. However, it was grade 3. 🙁 I turned 50 during my chemo treatment, which I finished 5 weeks ago and have now started hormone blockers. If you can afford it, I would recommend it. Hope it all goes well for you. x

    • LauraB27's avatar
      LauraB27
      Member
      3 months ago

      Thank you I have read through those articles. I have decided to go ahead with the test as felt it was important to me that I had covered every base offered and I knew I would likely be thinking what if, if I didn’t end up doing it. So for my peace of mind it made sense to me to proceed.