Hospitals changing their tumor marker testing protocols

Options
VictoriaB
VictoriaB Member Posts: 171
edited June 2014 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

Hi,

I haven't been on these boards in a while. I live in a metro area and receive treatment at a major private research facility. The facility I use has changed the protocols for tumor marker testing TO SAVE MONEY. They used to test for CAE and CA 15 every three months. Now, they will no longer do that, and will test ONLY if the onc thinks there might be a problem. (Even tho my onc said I could REQUEST the test and my insurance would probably pay for it). 

This change of procedure seems like the biggest claw back for women with breast cancer. And it could become a national trend (like how they tried to up the age of mammos). From what I have seen, tumor marker testing is a huge diagnostic tool that helps aid early detection of metastases. Do any of you know of a good rationale for this policy change? 

VickyB

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited May 2013

    Those markers work well for some people and other people not at all in terms of reliability, in some cases leading to additional testing/scans that was not needed.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Member Posts: 4,286
    edited May 2013

    My onc does not use tumor marker tests---he said too unreliable, but I do PET scans every 6 months. 

    Terri

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chickadee
    Chickadee Member Posts: 4,467
    edited May 2013

    Never relied on tumor marker tests either. I don't think this is a major cutback issue.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited June 2013

    I get tumor marker testing at the start of every new chemo cycle.  For me, they are very revealing and lets the onc (and me) know if my chemo is working.  My insurance has not complained.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HLB
    HLB Member Posts: 1,760
    edited June 2013

    Tumor markers work very well for me. I have had them for 8 years and because of that test we found mets before I had any symptoms. My doc called me 3 months after the first jump because he had just been to a conference where he found out they were changing the recommendations to not doing the test until symptoms. He normally would wait for 2 jumps in a row but when he heard about that he was afraid I would not be able to get another one so we did scans based on the first high number I had. Wish he would not have waiting 3 months but I'm glad he chose to do these markers. If not I would probably have pain or need rads or even surgery. Because we acted right away I take a pill and a shot which brought the number down to normal with no SEs and a normal life, at least for now.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2013

    Since tumor marker testing is not considered reliable for many, there are already many mo's who do not use it. Clearly it works for some but again, many mo's don't use it at all.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited June 2013

    I have Stage 2, Grade 1 IDC. My ONC does not routinely do tumor markers; I asked her nurse why not and she said there was no need to and the reason was basically the kind of BC I have not the Stage. I dont have scans or MRIs either. I feel like if my ONC isnt worried than neither am I...for now. diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lopsided_blogger
    lopsided_blogger Member Posts: 100
    edited July 2013

    It's likely based on this presentation from a recent big cancer conference:

    http://chicago2013.asco.org/surveillance-breast-cancer-survivors-first-do-no-harm

    Personally, I think people should have a say in how they want to follow up after they've finished treatment. My fear is all this evidence-based talk is going to make it impossible for us to get scans and tests we and our docs might feel we need. A test or scan will never save your life from cancer since there is no cure, so they won't clear the evidence-based hurdle (improves survival); however, I can think of a zillion reasons for myself why I would want them to catch a recurrence at the earliest possible moment. I also think this has everything to do with saving $.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • diandori
    diandori Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2013

    To LuvRVing: thanks for sharing your blog - I am going to ask my MO about having this type of test done.

    I read some of your posts and am glad to hear that carboplatin and gemzar have helped. I am currently on my 3rd of 4 treatments after a second lump (removed via mastectomy) was found after the poison, slash, and "crisp" treatments from original diagnosis in June 2012. My blog is diandoritnbc.blogspot.com if you are interested. I wish you all the best. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rose_d
    Rose_d Member Posts: 144
    edited July 2013

    Memorial Sloan Kettering has just changed their protocol and is no longer doing tumor marker testing for "early staged" people (stage 1 and 2) unless there are symptoms. Frustrating to me because I would like more information than less but I've seen enough folks on these boards say how unreliable they are that I'm trying to focus on that...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories