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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@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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@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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@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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@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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@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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