Gene tests to find whether breast cancer chemo can be skipped (chemotherapy, tumors)

[Clarallel]

Gene Tests Identify Breast Cancer Patients Who Can Skip Chemotherapy, Study Says
By Denise Grady

When is it safe for a woman with breast cancer to skip chemotherapy? A new study helps answer that question, based on a test of gene activity in tumors. It found that nearly half of women with early-stage breast cancer who would traditionally receive chemo can avoid it, with little risk of the cancer coming back or spreading in the next five years.



http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/25/sc...says.html?_r=0

[saibot]

This isn't new. I was given the Oncotype test back in 2008 to see if I needed chemo for my small, Stage 1 breast tumor.

Unfortunately, my score was in the "middle" range (33 or 34, I forget exactly), and so it became a judgement call. I chose to go ahead with the chemo because of my young age (39). It has been almost eight years now and the tumor did not come back or spread. Of course I don't know if it wouldn't have come back anyway, but it was not a chance I wanted to take with those results.

[Samandgiasmom]

Yes, I had that test way back in 2011, low test score, didn't need chemo.

[Giesela]

I think now there is something called mammoprint which is more extensive than the oncotype but hard to get of course.

[chiluvr1228]

Had the Oncotype DX test after my bi-lateral mastectomy in 2011. My score was a 7 so I chose not to do chemo and I'm still here.