Signatera Test. Is it truly helpful and worthwhile?

Posted by pbnew @pbnew, Nov 30, 2023

I haven’t met anyone who has used this test. Do oncologists recommend it? How does it help?

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Every 3 months after metastasis then every 6 months and now, once a year….so 5 or 6. In the big scheme of things, radiation is not a concern.

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Profile picture for roseann4z @roseann4z

I have had this test quarterly for two years. My oncologist finds it useful in that it has cut my PET scans down first to every 6 months to now yearly. If I have symptoms or if the test is positive we will do a PET sooner. I find that helps me mentally. My oncologist is concerned about all the radiation from repeated scans over years.

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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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Profile picture for mrobards @mrobards

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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Contact Signatera directly and ask for an oncologist in your area who will order it.

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Profile picture for mrobards @mrobards

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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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.

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Profile picture for roseann4z @roseann4z

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.

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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.

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Profile picture for mspass @mspass

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.

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Yes it’s a positive or negative result. Good luck -keep us posted.

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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.)

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Profile picture for pbnew @pbnew

What is the cost of the signatera test for those without Medicare or other insurance ?

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Self pay is $395.00
CPT codes from Natera 81479 and 0340U
to give to Medicare show no
coverage.

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@mspass, I moved your post about circulating tumor DNA testing to this active discussion on the same topic.

- Signatera Test. Is it truly helpful and worthwhile? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/signatera-test-is-it-truly-helpful-and-worthwhile/

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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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Profile picture for mspass @mspass

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.

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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.

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