Breast Cancer Index Score- Extended Endocrine Benefit Test

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited January 2015 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I just received my BCI score of 5.3.  This is Intermediate risk and shows that I will receive benefit from extending my endocrine therapy for a total of 10 years.  I have already completed 7 years so I will be doing 3 more years.  I am so glad that I took this test because it validates the benefit of staying on the AIs for 10 years.

Has anyone else taken the test?  I had the test free of charge.  BTW, my Oncotype score was 11.


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  • aussieched
    aussieched Member Posts: 244
    edited December 2014

    Wow Aug242007,

    I have never heard of this test before. I have also completed 7 years of AI Femara, and I wasn't even aware there was a test out there that we could take. Every time I ask my Onc about the chance of recurrence, they just pull a figure out of the air, and each have told me different answers.

    Do you know if this would be available in Australia, and do you know the official name of the test?

    thanks Ched

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2014

    Breast Cancer Index.  New in 2013.  Now covered in the US by insurance.  Google it and you can get a lot of info.  It is to give us scientific knowledge of who will benefit from extended endocrine therapy.  Was presented in 2013 at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

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  • aussieched
    aussieched Member Posts: 244
    edited December 2014

    Hi Aug242007, Yes I had already started googling. I didn't have the Oncotype test back in 2007 as it wasn't available to us in Australia. I believe now that even though I had a positive node, it is now available to some with 1 or 2 positive nodes. I thought that maybe this new BCI test may have needed the initial Oncotype test as a basis to then to be able to have the BCI test.

    I will search out what is happening here is Australia, probably nothing I would say, as we do appear to be behind the USA with all the new tests and treatments. I know that ladies are now able to get the Oncotype testing done now in Australia, but the test still has to be sent to USA to be done and costs $5,000 dollars.

    thanks Ched

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited December 2014

    Yes, Ched, as you said we in Oz can get the Oncotype test but it is not covered by insurance. Having endured the financial and other costs associated with chemo (the treatment itself was free), I would pay for the Oncotype test if I was ever in the same situation.

    I have been on Femara since 2012 and my onc and I always discuss the 10 year question. I am eager to continue but he is not yet wholly convinced. 

    I will mention the BCI to him when I see him this month.

    I LOVE my onc but plan to continue therapy with or without him!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited December 2014

    According to the website of the manufacturer this test is for node negative patients only who have been on hormonal therapy for five years.  I don't believe it is  currently FDA approved, from what I could gather, so unlikely to be covered by insurance for patients in the US.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2015


    I do believe that the test has recently been approved and is covered by insurance now in the US.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited January 2015

    Can you provide any information that shows FDA approval?  BCI is a bioTheranostics product and their own website indicates that it is not FDA approved.  The FDA's website also contains no reference to approval for this test.  I am not saying the test does not have merit, but I am concerned about others who may want this test and then be disappointed when their insurance will not cover it.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2015

    SpecialK, this has already been discussed.  Anyone who wishes to have the test needs to check with their own insurance.  I am not an insurance agent.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2015

    You can review the information for BCI at http://www.biotheranostics.com/wp-content/uploads/BTXBCI_149_BCI%20Updated%20CVA_v18_fnl.pdf.

    The fact that caught my attention is over 50% of recurrences happen after the 5th year and 4-5 % of women will benefit from extended endocrine therapy.  This test may save lives.  The statistic is similar to the 3-5% that can be helped by chemo.

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  • ktab96
    ktab96 Member Posts: 126
    edited January 2015

    I had an Onco score of 18. My Onc put me on Femara which brought my recurrence rate down to 9%. While taking Femara, my tumor markers have been in the high normal range, so my Onc has recommended I stay on hormonal therapy for a total of 10 years. I never heard of BCI but I don't think its necessary for me at this point since based upon my treatment, the decision has been made.

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