Skip the Chemotherapy? Gene Tests Help Breast Cancer Patients Make That Decision

Reader Comments
Back to blog

If after taking the oncotype test, you unfortunately find out that you would benefit from chemotherapy, there are other types of genetic testing that you should look into. Although the horrible pain of chemotherapy is not avoidable, getting matched up with the best drug and dosage for your particular set of genes may be able to lower the toxicity of the treatment. There is research going on right now to make this commonplace. Take a look at the article I found which summarizes how this research works: http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/59/1/42

Katherine of NY 7:13PM January 27, 2010

If after taking the oncotype test, you unfortunately find out that you would benefit from chemotherapy, there are other types of genetic testing that you should look into. Although the horrible pain of chemotherapy is not avoidable, getting matched up with the best drug and dosage for your particular set of genes may be able to lower the toxicity of the treatment. There is research going on right now to make this commonplace. Take a look at the article I found which summarizes how this research works: http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/59/1/42

Katherine of NY 6:57PM January 27, 2010

What if you take the test, decide against chemo, and next year a study comes out questions that test's accuracy? Or what if you decide against chemo because you're likelihood of reoccurrence is so low, and that "slight chance" turns out to be a reoccurrence? I was diagnosed stage 4, so this test isn't for people like me, anyway. But if my doctor felt chemo was appropriate and I agreed with his/her reasoning, I still wouldn't base my future on a gamble. I'd listen to my doctor, then take every measure possible, including chemo, to get healthy and stay that way. Chemo is no day at the beach, but it beats the alternative. (I did have to make a similar choice when one doctor said I didn't need radiation, and another disagreed. I took the radiation. It's been 4-1/2 years, and I've never had a reoccurrence.)

Elaine of CA 1:58PM January 14, 2010

I had the oncotype test done and it was a 9 (low) so I did not have chemo and am now taking Femara for five years. I had invasive ductal carcinoma - hormone receptive and small. No nodes involved. I'm very relieved that I didn't have to have chemo and by partcipating in the "Taylor-x clinical trial", the test was paid for.

Angela of LA 8:08PM January 12, 2010

I'm a 2-time bc survivor and thriver - and have been totally revived by a dvd i just found made for women with breast cancer called 'The Path of Wellness And Healing.' It's like an encyclopedia for breast cancer but it's also moving, inspiring, the whole nine. Every doctor from deepak Chopra to Dean Ornish is on it and every celeb bc survivor from Sheryl Crow to Melissa Ethridge. So awesome!!!

Cindy of CA 4:58PM January 12, 2010