I see it as a tool to see if treatment is working. If levels start to go up then a closer eye needs to be kept on your cancer. My counts have decreased to zero. Praying they stay that way.
My oncologist says if Signatera test shows cancer cells in blood, it's not clear what, if anything, to do about it.
Is this true for all or just for people with stage 1, grade 2-3?
ps I'm taking anastrozole & Kisqali (ribociclib), had surgery and radiation 8 months ago.
I too am in the U.S. , Louisiana. I was told that Medicare would pay and that there is usually about $100 to the patient. Since I have just started, I don't know what my secondary insurance will do. I will post what the financials end up being.
Naturally, I have read everything I could find and I had to laugh at myself. I was trying to find what "the numbers were", like labs have a scale of low to high. Well, negative results is 0.00....duh.
I get a signature test every three months and so far it’s all been negative. There is actually a scale starting at zero. My tests have always been zero for the last eight test. For me it is comforting to know that there is no cancerous DNA floating around in my blood looking for a home. I haven’t paid anything and I’m on Medicare with a supplement. Also, someone comes to my home to take my blood sample. Many blessings to all of you.
I am a male breast cancer patient; double mastectomy and nodes. Surgery went well (9 months ago), es+ her2-, anastrozole and kisqali; no radiation or chemo even though cancer is metastatic. I've had 2 signatera tests, both negative.For me, that result is comforting. I get signaterra every 6 months and the usual blood panels monthly. Medicare pays, no problem.
From reading more than a year of posts, it appears that different onco docs have very different takes on how to treat. My onco is fairly young and I think quite current on trial results and newer approaches to treatment. I think, that in general, medical standard of care changes very slowly, and it's important for patients to do their research and consider changing onco if there's a concern about whether their doc is "current" on treatment options. I'm very fortunate to have managable side effects from my meds and I am also older and have had a good life, and my cancer anxiety is low. I think that patients on Kisqali need to be followed closely for recurrence, especially younger patients, because if Kisqali isn't working to suppress any spread, another approach will be needed. My heart goes out to all who are navigating this very complex landscape.
The Natera.com website has specific info regarding which types of cancers (there are several) that Medicare covers for the Signatera test. Unfortunately my numbers went up over a year (quarterly tests) but the Signatera test results were helpful as far as watching other tumor indicators/markers and having imaging. (Breast cancer, mets to contralateral breast, lymphatic system, lungs, retroperitoneum.)
I too am in the U.S. , Louisiana. I was told that Medicare would pay and that there is usually about $100 to the patient. Since I have just started, I don't know what my secondary insurance will do. I will post what the financials end up being.
Naturally, I have read everything I could find and I had to laugh at myself. I was trying to find what "the numbers were", like labs have a scale of low to high. Well, negative results is 0.00....duh.
Yes I live in NY and am being treated at a large cancer center-not Sloan- My oncologist arranged the testing. Currently my insurance rejects the claim but I believe the cost falls under a grant at this time.
I too am in the U.S. , Louisiana. I was told that Medicare would pay and that there is usually about $100 to the patient. Since I have just started, I don't know what my secondary insurance will do. I will post what the financials end up being.
Naturally, I have read everything I could find and I had to laugh at myself. I was trying to find what "the numbers were", like labs have a scale of low to high. Well, negative results is 0.00....duh.
I am interested in the Signatura testing, as are several friends in my mets group. So far, it is not available (not being offered) to us. Are you receiving care in the US? Any info you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Yes I live in NY and am being treated at a large cancer center-not Sloan- My oncologist arranged the testing. Currently my insurance rejects the claim but I believe the cost falls under a grant at this time.
I am interested in the Signatura testing, as are several friends in my mets group. So far, it is not available (not being offered) to us. Are you receiving care in the US? Any info you can give would be greatly appreciated.
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I see it as a tool to see if treatment is working. If levels start to go up then a closer eye needs to be kept on your cancer. My counts have decreased to zero. Praying they stay that way.
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Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsMy oncologist says if Signatera test shows cancer cells in blood, it's not clear what, if anything, to do about it.
Is this true for all or just for people with stage 1, grade 2-3?
ps I'm taking anastrozole & Kisqali (ribociclib), had surgery and radiation 8 months ago.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI get a signature test every three months and so far it’s all been negative. There is actually a scale starting at zero. My tests have always been zero for the last eight test. For me it is comforting to know that there is no cancerous DNA floating around in my blood looking for a home. I haven’t paid anything and I’m on Medicare with a supplement. Also, someone comes to my home to take my blood sample. Many blessings to all of you.
I am a male breast cancer patient; double mastectomy and nodes. Surgery went well (9 months ago), es+ her2-, anastrozole and kisqali; no radiation or chemo even though cancer is metastatic. I've had 2 signatera tests, both negative.For me, that result is comforting. I get signaterra every 6 months and the usual blood panels monthly. Medicare pays, no problem.
From reading more than a year of posts, it appears that different onco docs have very different takes on how to treat. My onco is fairly young and I think quite current on trial results and newer approaches to treatment. I think, that in general, medical standard of care changes very slowly, and it's important for patients to do their research and consider changing onco if there's a concern about whether their doc is "current" on treatment options. I'm very fortunate to have managable side effects from my meds and I am also older and have had a good life, and my cancer anxiety is low. I think that patients on Kisqali need to be followed closely for recurrence, especially younger patients, because if Kisqali isn't working to suppress any spread, another approach will be needed. My heart goes out to all who are navigating this very complex landscape.
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Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsSelf pay is $395.00
CPT codes from Natera 81479 and 0340U
to give to Medicare show no
coverage.
The Natera.com website has specific info regarding which types of cancers (there are several) that Medicare covers for the Signatera test. Unfortunately my numbers went up over a year (quarterly tests) but the Signatera test results were helpful as far as watching other tumor indicators/markers and having imaging. (Breast cancer, mets to contralateral breast, lymphatic system, lungs, retroperitoneum.)
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsYes it’s a positive or negative result. Good luck -keep us posted.
I too am in the U.S. , Louisiana. I was told that Medicare would pay and that there is usually about $100 to the patient. Since I have just started, I don't know what my secondary insurance will do. I will post what the financials end up being.
Naturally, I have read everything I could find and I had to laugh at myself. I was trying to find what "the numbers were", like labs have a scale of low to high. Well, negative results is 0.00....duh.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYes I live in NY and am being treated at a large cancer center-not Sloan- My oncologist arranged the testing. Currently my insurance rejects the claim but I believe the cost falls under a grant at this time.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionContact Signatera directly and ask for an oncologist in your area who will order it.
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5 Reactions