I have DCIS with invasive cells, stage 1a, grade 2-3 (not lobular BC). Even before surgery, the surgeon said that she didn't do Oncotype for people over 70. I'm 80. After 2 surgeries, medical oncologist said I could have Oncotype done but would have to wait a month to get the results. I could not start radiation until Oncotype results were received. By this time more than 3 months had passed since the cancer was first discovered. So I decided not to pursue Oncotype testing, assuming that because I was 80, my cancer was probably not very aggressive. After radiation, I started aromatase inhibitors but tolerated them poorly.

I went to a 2nd medical oncologist (at a different cancer center), asked her for Oncotype test and she ordered it. My hope was that my score would be low and that it would be safe for me not to take aromatase inhibitors. Instead, my score was 29 (higher than I'd hoped for!). So, in addition to anastrozole, I am just now starting Kisqali (ribociclib). My conclusion: older people can and do have (relatively) aggressive cancers and should have Oncotype (or other genetic tests for their tumors). Age should not be the deciding factor.