Genomic Testing

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NorCalS
NorCalS Member Posts: 288
edited August 2020 in Genetic Testing

When I was diagnosed with TBNC in June of 2019, I qualified for genetic testing under Kaiser Permanente’s guidelines. I tested negative for various genetic mutations. I recently learned that genomic testing is used to determine characteristics of the cancer cells. When I asked my oncologist if I could get genomic testing she did not recommend it because she said there was little that the results would not alter my treatment plan. Can someone explain the value of genomic testing to their treatment plan and how they got their oncologist to order a genomic tests.


Any input is much appreciated

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited August 2020

    Oncotype or Mammaprint help determine whether hormone receptor positive breast cancer patients would benefit or not from chemo. Since you were triple negative you needed chemo since endocrine therapy wouldn’t help.

    Tests like Foundation One are most often used for advanced or Stage IV cancer where often various treatments have failed already to see if there are possibly particular immunological treatments or other agents, etc that might be succesful against that patient’s particular cancer genetic makeup.

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  • NorCalS
    NorCalS Member Posts: 288
    edited August 2020

    Thanks Melissa.

    I have late stage TNBC (stage 3c under old staging guidelines and stage 4 under newer staging Guidelines). I did not get PCR after neoadjuvent chemo and surgery. I am on Xeloda now to help prevent a recurrence. It seems like we are just taking a shot with Xeloda without really knowing whether it will be effective

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