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MandaW's avatar
MandaW
Member
10 years ago

Waiting for Oncotype DX

Hi everyone,

I am new here!  I was diagnosed with EBC in late september and had a masectomy with immediate recon in early october.  

My oncologist recommended chemo straight away.  My cancer was a grade 3, node negative, her2 negative.

I opted to get an oncotype dx test in case chemo is of little benefit to me.  I ran a search on these forums and found a few stories of people that had low recurrence scores on their oncotype.  I havent found any mentions of medium or high recurrence score.  

Does anyone have any experiences with medium to high scores?  

Im expecting my results on the 17th november but i am getting nervous/anxious.

Thanks

4 Replies

  • MandaW's avatar
    MandaW
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi all!  Thanks for your comments.  I just wanted to update this in case someone else does an oncotype keyword search.

     

    If you are eligible, i highly recommend getting it.  I had my oncologist recommending chemo and but my oncotype results came back with a very low recurrence score (15).  This means that chemo only would have offered a 2% benefit to recurrence chance within 10 years.  

    My oncologist changed her recommendation to no chemo and was supportive of my decision.

    So please if you are eligible for it - give it a go!

     

  • mona63's avatar
    mona63
    Member
    10 years ago

    Well good luck on the results: I think some of us are happy to be guided but I also had a strong confirmation from myself when I was eventually recommended not to have chemo.  About a week ago I read that they are getting just as good results from fewer sessions of radiation but that some doctors are reluctant to offer this : it does seem to attract a conservative approach and my feeling is you have the best research or all the treatments but no guarantees. In my case just because I had a micromet that was enough for chemo to be first response.  Then my oncologist 'took the whole picture' he said chemo overused so good on you for asking for what you need to make a decision.  

  • LisaS's avatar
    LisaS
    Member
    10 years ago

    Heather,

    Sorry to correct you but she is GRADE 3, not STAGE 3. As she is node negative, she'd have to be stage 1 or 2.

    Mandaw,

    best of luck. Having a choice is almost harder than having no choice. I hope you find comfort in your decision whichever way you go. Best wishes for your results.

  • Heather72's avatar
    Heather72
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Mandaw,

    I have not done oncotype dx test so I cannot comment on that but what stood out to me is your Oncologist recommending chemo straight away they are the ones that study  this horrible for 6-7 years and continue to study up to date info regularly. I would rather get a  second opinion for another Oncologist if unsure.. You have stage 3 BC which is just one stege away from stage 4 which is incurable, so please be careful. I have sat with women while I waited to have chemo ( which you do get through). Some of them did not have chemo the first time around even after being advised to have it and are now with stage 4 and have to have it on and off for the rest of there life. That may not end up being you but it is something to take into consideration no matter what the test comes back as. Hope this helps Heather