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Diagnosed with DCIS: How do I decide on treatment?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Mar 20 10:00am | Replies (345)Comment receiving replies
Just for clarification, the purpose of the Oncotype test is to (1) provide a "risk of recurrence within 9 years" IF the person takes aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen and (2) to suggest whether chemotherapy should be considered. Having the risk of recurrence number may indeed help a patient make other treatment decisions about breast cancer but the test is specifically designed to determine whether chemotherapy has a predicted beneficial risk/reward ratio and should be suggested.
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There are 2 separate Oconotype tests. That’s correct for the Oconotype DX (determines need for chemo) but the test specific for DCIS, Oconotype DX DCIS test is now being used to rate reoccurrence in women with DCIS when treated with lumpectomy alone. Since I’m trying to (safely) avoid radiation I think it would be a good tool to use to rate my risk of reoccurrence of DCIS or IBC to see if radiation is necessary to my specific case.
This information is provided by Breastcancer.org.
“ Another study has confirmed that the Oncotype DX DCIS test helped predict the risk of recurrence in women diagnosed with DCIS and treated only with lumpectomy.”
My pathology report showed NO DCIS was found after my lumpectomy so it was all removed with the Stereotactic biopsy. Since nothing was found I’m not convinced I need the radiation. Using the genetic test results will help with my decision. If it shows I have a high rate of reoccurrence I would reconsider the radiation. If it shows I have a low risk of return I most probably will not get radiation in the event I would I would need another lumpectomy with radiation in the future. A lot of doctors don’t tell women that you can only radiate each breast 1 time. In the event of a reoccurrence the only choice then is a mastectomy. I’m just trying to keep my options open for any future reoccurrence since with having had DCIS I have a 30-40% statistical chance of future breast cancers. The test will be more specific to my genes for my reoccurrence rate.