BCI at less than 5 years?

McClure77

Does anyone know why the BCI test is only used after 5 years? Why wouldn't it be able to predict recurrence risk and hormonal therapy benefit at less than that?

I'm desperately trying to find a way to ensure/confirm that if I take AI's that they will actually work as intended, since the majority of drugs I have taken do not seem to work correctly or even at all on me.

NatsFan

Hi McClure - my BCI results contained info at the 5 year mark, but also contained info about what my risk might have been if the BCI had been run at the time of dx, so I don't know why it isn't ordered until Year 5 at the earliest. My guess is that the BCI has not been found to be more reliable than other, less expensive, tests done at the time of dx, or perhaps insurance companies will only cover it at the 5year mark. You may want to ask your MO, or even contact the company that does the BCI test directly - especially if you're willing/able to self pay. http://www.breastcancerindex.com/