Genomic Testing?
Hi, this is my first time posting. I was diagnosed 17 October and have had a nipple sparing double mastectomy (left breast had tumors) followed by auxiliary lymph node clearance 3 nodes had cancer. Ch...
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Hi @Caccal. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I cried non-stop (well not in front of my kids but multiple times a day) for a month. It was a horrible time. The daily tears slowed when chemo started.
I had the EndoPredict genomic test. If my BC had been the first in my family I would have proceeded to radiotherapy after my wide local excision and re-excision. However as my sister had died from it and my mother had had it at my age, my oncologist thought that if I could afford it, I should do it.
The test came back as, in the words of my oncologist, "clearly positive", so I changed course and had chemotherapy.
Did your oncologist suggest you do the test? I'm not familiar with the oncoplus test. What are its parameters? I was told that these tests were used on early breast cancers. So the size of your tumour may be a sticking point, as well as the fact that you had it in your lymph nodes. But I don't really know about these things, so I reckon you should ask your oncologist. And ask them the pointed question: 'if the test comes back that there'll be no curative effect from chemotherapy should I have cancer cells spreading through my body, why are you prescribing chemo?' I'm sure there's a good reason and you sure as heck deserve to hear it!
I don't know what you know about chemotherapy but it's not the monster it was a generation ago. It's in no parts fun, but there are excellent medications to lessen most of the side effects. Don't suffer in silence, speak to your medical team if you're in pain. You will get through, and we're all here to help you.
Let us know how you get on. Deep breaths @Caccal. And a very big hug, K xox
I had the EndoPredict genomic test. If my BC had been the first in my family I would have proceeded to radiotherapy after my wide local excision and re-excision. However as my sister had died from it and my mother had had it at my age, my oncologist thought that if I could afford it, I should do it.
The test came back as, in the words of my oncologist, "clearly positive", so I changed course and had chemotherapy.
Did your oncologist suggest you do the test? I'm not familiar with the oncoplus test. What are its parameters? I was told that these tests were used on early breast cancers. So the size of your tumour may be a sticking point, as well as the fact that you had it in your lymph nodes. But I don't really know about these things, so I reckon you should ask your oncologist. And ask them the pointed question: 'if the test comes back that there'll be no curative effect from chemotherapy should I have cancer cells spreading through my body, why are you prescribing chemo?' I'm sure there's a good reason and you sure as heck deserve to hear it!
I don't know what you know about chemotherapy but it's not the monster it was a generation ago. It's in no parts fun, but there are excellent medications to lessen most of the side effects. Don't suffer in silence, speak to your medical team if you're in pain. You will get through, and we're all here to help you.
Let us know how you get on. Deep breaths @Caccal. And a very big hug, K xox