Questions To Ask Your Doctor About The Oncotype DX^® Breast Cancer Test

The Oncotype DX assay is a test that may help guide treatment decisions for patients with pre-invasive breast cancer, often referred to as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and help early-stage invasive breast cancer patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) disease evaluate if they will benefit from chemotherapy.  The decision whether or not to take the Oncotype DX test is one that you and your doctor should make together.

Download the following PDF for a list of questions to help patients diagnosed with breast cancer discuss the Oncotype DX test with their doctor. 

Questions For Patients With Stage I or Stage II Invasive Breast Cancer

Question 1
I understand that many patients with early-stage (invasive) breast cancer do not benefit from chemotherapy. Is that true?

KEEP IN MIND: Research shows that chemotherapy does not benefit all patients equally. In fact, on average, less than 10% of patients with early-stage estrogen receptor-positive, lymph node-negative breast cancer who are treated with hormonal therapy derive benefit from chemotherapy. Statistics vary for different stages/types of breast cancer.

Question 2
I have read that the Oncotype DX test provides a score that helps determine my chance of both having a distant recurrence of breast cancer and of benefiting from chemotherapy. How could we use this information to personalize my care?

KEEP IN MIND: The Oncotype DX test is for patients with early-stage, estrogen receptor-positive invasive breast cancer. It adds information beyond traditional factors considered when making a breast cancer treatment decision (such as tumor size, tumor grade and a patient's age) by looking at the biology of your tumor. You and your doctor should consider the Oncotype DX test results together with other findings, as well as your own personal preference, in determining which breast cancer treatment plan is right for you.

Question 3
Can we wait a few weeks to get these results before I have to make a decision about treatment?

KEEP IN MIND: You and your doctor will work together to make this very personal decision, but the Oncotype DX test is an important tool to consider using, together with other information, when deciding whether or not to undergo chemotherapy. In addition to assessing whether a patient's breast cancer is likely to come back, the Oncotype DX test provides insight into the amount of benefit that an invasive breast cancer patient will derive from undergoing chemotherapy in addition to hormonal therapy.

Question 4
I understand that insurance will usually pay for the Oncotype DX test. Do you know whether mine will?

KEEP IN MIND: Insurance coverage varies depending on insurance plans. Insurers covering most of the U.S. population have policies or contracts to cover the Oncotype DX test. The Genomic Access Program (GAP) helps you verify whether your insurance covers the test and, if so, helps obtain reimbursement. In addition, Genomic Health offers a comprehensive financial assistance program. For more information, call 1-866-941-1214 to speak to a knowledgeable customer service specialist.

Questions For Patients with Stage 0 Breast Cancer or Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

Question 1
I'm trying to understand how aggressive my individual tumor is.  How can the Oncotype DX test help personalize my treatment plan?

KEEP IN MIND: The Oncotype DX DCIS Score™ provides patients with an individualized prediction of the 10-year risk of local recurrence of DCIS or invasive carcinoma.

Question 2
When should I ask my doctor about the Oncotype DX DCIS Score?

KEEP IN MIND: The Oncotype DX DCIS Score is intended for use in women newly diagnosed DCIS who are treated with local excision and provides information that may be used to help guide treatment planning.

Question 3
I'm weighing the benefits of radiation therapy. Can the Oncotype DX DCIS Score provide information about radiation benefit?

KEEP IN MIND: While it is not known if the DCIS Score can predict the benefit of radiation therapy, some physicians may find the risk of recurrence helpful in making this decision.  Since local recurrences are most often manageable, physicians may recommend surgery alone for patients with a low Oncotype DX DCIS Score.

Question 4
I understand that insurance will usually pay for the Oncotype DX test.  Do you know whether mine will?

KEEP IN MIND: Insurance coverage varies depending on insurance plans. The Genomic Access Program (GAP) helps you verify whether your insurance covers the test and, if so, helps obtain reimbursement. In addition, Genomic Health offers a comprehensive financial assistance program. For more information, call 1-866-941-1214 to speak to a knowledgeable customer service specialist.