Oncotype score is in!

Ardychan

Thank you all for your support during this time.  I went to the Oncologist and my Onotype score was a 10.  So I will not have to do Chemotherapy.  As I said before, I was willing to do it if it would help, but looking at the charts, it showed a worse outcome if I had the Chemo.  I think the risks for me outweigh any benefits.

I feel like a gigantic weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  I was so worried because I didn't think I could continue working if I needed to do Chemo.  I know that many women do, but my job is quite unique and it would have been impossible.  Given that we need the money to help with College for our son, this would have made life even more stressful.

 I do know that the journey ahead is still going to be day to day, filled with challenges.  I will do Radiation and Tomaxafin (early menopause for me!).   But I am so grateful I don't have to worry about my job.  I have finally found a rewarding job that I am actually good at!  So it's a relief. 

Thanks for reading this. 

YramAL

Boy do I know that feeling of relief! My score was 11-I did rads and have been on Tamoxifen for about 18 months.

I'm so glad you don't have to worry about taking time off of work. I would recommend taking a few days off here and there during radiation. It is more tiring than you might expect it to be. I worked all the way through radiation, but I took a few days off towards the end. The fatigue catches up with you.

Best wishes,

Mary

Ardychan

Thanks Mary,

I already told my work to expect me to take days off here and there.  I think they are fine with that.  I work with a student who has disabilities and  needs continuity.  That's why it would be so hard to take a long period of time off.  But the student is fine with a sub once in a while.

My Mom had radiation over the Summer for Lung Cancer, and I saw how tired she bacame.  I'll still need help making dinner and keeping the house from looking like a disaster.  But my family is starting to understand I really do need help (I'm a do everything for everyone else kind of Gal).

Happy holidays!

Ardis 

SheChirple

Congratulations.  My score is pending appt on 1/6.  So far I am no rads, no chemo.  Had BMX with TE. That OncoDx is my last weight that I carry.  I, too, hope for a nice low score.  I want to be as agressive as possible in my fight to prevent recurrence and new cancer, but really don't want chemo unless it will really be of benefit.

 Again, congratulations.  On with the healing.

BelaT

I don't know when my score will come in. The billing company called and they were asking me for billing info. How long does it take?

DiDel

Ardis congrats on the low score and having your dream job!!

Happy Holidays!!

Diane

BelaT

My score is 23, oncologist on vacation so wait and see him. I am sad

nanzy

what is considered a high score???

bcisnofun

I think 18 and up is considered mid range but it seems every doc has a different magic number.  Some of it depends on age and health outside of the cancer dx.  There's a study right now called tailor x or something like that, that is studying the outcome of chemo for those in the "higher low risk group".  That doesn't sound right - but basically for anyone between 11 and maybe 18?

BelaT

Hi bcisnofun,

 Thansk for the replies. I haven't seen onco yet. I have no idea what will affect my treatment.Kepp u posted. I read some where that there is hidden new scoreeing advice that any thing above 20 id high risk , Like I said hidden 

kira1234

I wasn't able to be part of that study. I have what is considered a favorable type of cancer which they didn't want in the study. To be part of the study with a small tumor they wanted a grade 3. Go figure! The only positive is I guess they felt chemo wouldn't prove as necessary for us who are grade 1.

For the taylorx study the parameters where changed, 11 was made mid rage, and 25 was high.

momof3boys

Hi Everyone,

I had my first of 4 TC chemo treatments today. My Oncotype score was 16. Before surgery my MO told me that she was 90% sure I'd need chemo because of my age "43" and the tumor was larger than 2 cm. After getting the score, she was 50/50 on the chemo.... But ultimately said she would do it if she were me. I was already psychologically prepared to, so I went ahead.

Interesting conversation I had with her before my treatment started this am. I brough up a post I read last night from a woman on these boards that said the experts are going to lower the Oncotype recurrence groups. She verified that this is true, and low risk will be under 11....

Don't want to scare anyone, but think we all need to be as informed as possible. I've seen women with higher scores than mine (16) deciding against chemo because their score came in just under or over 20....

bcisnofun

to do chemo, or not to do chemo...it was a much harder decision for me than the mastectomy decision.  So I feel everyone's pain who has to make it. 

SoCalLisa

I sure wish they had had that testing when I went through treatments...

Moderators

Congratulations on your low score, Ardychan!

To answer some of the questions raised here, there's background on the Oncotype DX test, how it works, how it's interpreted, and insurance and financial assistance info too, at the main Breastcancer.org site.

Judith and the Mods

momof3boys

Hi Judith

Can you give us some insight to the upcoming new lower scoring for the Oncotype test, please?

Bapen

I am currently seeing 2 MO, 1 at Northwestern in Chicago and 1 in Iowa.  I asked them both the question about the new Oncotype scoring.  They both stated that they are not lowering the score. The confusion has come about because of the Tailor x clinical trial, where they did lower the score, but only to include a wider range of low to moderate scores. The different score is only for the trial and the hope is that the low range will go higher that 18, maybe up to 23.