Sharing a few things that might help other Canadian women...

I just wanted to share a bit of my journey in hopes that it might help someone else in the early stages of diagnosis/treatment. I was diagnosed in April with IDC, MRI in May showed three small tumours not just the microcalcification that was picked up on the mammogram. Due to the location of the tumours I had no choice and had a UMX in early June. I didn't see the radiation and medical oncologists until mid-July. My MO wanted to do chemo even though I am node negative and low grade due to the multi-focal nature of my cancer. I asked about the oncotype dx test which is not even mentioned here in NB as it isn't covered by medicare. I paid the $4200 out of pocket as it was worth it to me if I could avoid chemo. She agreed to go with the results, I got one test result back, it was an 11 which is a low score. She wanted to test another tumour and I am still waiting for the result. Fortunately the genomic testing company in California doesn't charge for a second test if you are paying for it yourself. If I hadn't heard about the oncotype test on CBC radio then I wouldn't have known to ask for it. I am sharing this info just in case there are other women out there with similar circumstances who might not know about the test. It is widely used in Canada but I think only ON and QC have medicare coverage here in Canada.

When I went to the radiation oncologist, he wanted to do radiation also due to the multiple tumours even though the margins were clear and no nodal involvement. He said I was in a grey area. I asked him quite a few questions and he agreed to check with some experts. He checked with the heads of radiation oncology at Harvard and McMaster and both experts said that radiation wasn't necessary so he changed his plans for me.

 I guess if I hadn't asked the questions I would be having both chemo and radiation. I might not need either, fingers crossed. I live in a wonderful province but with our small population base I wonder if options and experience are somewhat limited.

I hope this info helps someone out there. I just felt the need to share and possibly help someone else.

K