Oncotype DX Test

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Hi Lisa

I suggest you or your mother ring her private health fund and ask if they would cover part of the cost of the test for her. At the moment, I don't think any of the private health funds include Oncotype DX as part of their normal coverage, but they do have discretion to pay out on items that are not listed. They assess these applications on a case by case basis, so your mum would have to make an application to them for a payment. It would be worth a phone call in the first instance.

Kathy

Kathy that is wonderful news that some health funds offer rebates on this test.  I was quite evangelistic after my test results came back and tried to find out more information and even featured in article in the in-house magazine of the laboratory/agent in Melbourne who sends the tests to America.  Very encouraging news.  Thank you for your post.  BTW crackers is my fathers nickname for me (was born on crackers night) ... and yes I am often!!  Hugs.

Hi Crackers - love your online name! I so want to ask ... are you???!!!

Thanks for writing about your experiences with the Oncotype DX test. It is great to hear that it was 'money well spent' for you and helped you to avoid chemotherapy and all its side effects, even though chemo had originally been recommended for you.

I know it probably doesn't help you now, but other women considering using the Oncotype DX test may be interested to know that there have been one or two payouts for this test by Australian private health insurance funds recently. So if you are considering the test and have private health insurance, it would be worth making a call to your fund to see if they will cover some of the cost for you.

All the best, Kathy

Hi, Just wanted to add to this older post if I may.  I live in Northern NSW and had the Oncotype DX test done back in January 2009.  It was very expensive as the Aussie dollar was down to 62c to the American dollar and we paid $5,800.  My oncologist originally advised me to have chemo "just in case" but my wonderful surgeon told me about this test and we went ahead and sent a tumour sample over to the USA.  My result was a 6 which indicated no benefit from chemo for my particular breast cancer diagnosis.  My Onc on seeing the results advised against chemo and said "it was money well spent".  I must say though that we were fortunate to have some money set aside (we were going to renovate the bathroom before I was diagnosed) and I would think that offering everyone who qualified for this test the possibility could possibly cause despair and frustration due to the cost and no Medicare rebate or private health care insurance cover.  I am extremely grateful for having it available for my decision making.  Big hugs.

Hi Nonnie

This is Kathy from the BCNA Policy Team.

We are currently working on some information on the Oncotype DX test to include on our website and hope to have it up in the next day or so. I'll give you the link when it is there.

In the meantime, I thought I would tell you about one woman I know who had the Oncotype DX test and it resulted in a change in her treatment recommendation. Her oncologist had initially said he didn't think she would need chemotherapy, but the test results came back indicating she would benefit from it. She subsequently decided to have chemotherapy treatment.

The test is very expensive however, at around $4,100.

I'll blog again as soon as information is up on our website.

All the best in your decision-making.

Kathy

Hi again Nonnie

We now have information about the Oncotype DX test up on our website. You'll find it in the Treatment section, on the Breast Cancer pathology page.

I hope it is useful for you and other women considering chemotherapy.

Kathy

Hi again Nonnie

We now have information about the Oncotype DX test up on our website. You'll find it in the Treatment section, on the Breast Cancer pathology page.

I hope it is useful for you and other women considering chemotherapy.

Kathy