Frequently Asked Questions

The Oncotype DX breast cancer test can help breast cancer patients and their doctors* make a more informed, personalised treatment plan. The test looks at the expression of cancer related genes within a patient's tumour sample and provides a numerical result that indicates the possibility of the cancer returning. In addition, the Oncotype DX breast cancer test provides information about how much benefit a patient is likely to get from chemotherapy (commonly used drugs for early-stage breast cancer) in addition to hormone therapy.

Get additional information about the Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay.

*breast surgeon or oncologist

You may be a candidate for the Oncotype DX test if you are medically eligible for chemotherapy and:

• You have been recently diagnosed with anatomic stage I,II or IIIa invasive breast cancer
• Your breast cancer is estrogen-receptor positive (ER+)
• Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor-negative (HER2-)

If you are uncertain whether or not you are a candidate for the Breast Recurrence Score, ask your doctor.

For more information, please visit our eligibility section.

Consult your breast surgeon or oncologist and http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information.

ER+ stands for oestrogen receptor positive. Oestrogen is one of many hormones in your body; it has many roles, some of which include triggering development of female characteristics and facilitating the reproductive process. Some cells in your breasts contain oestrogen receptors, which are activated by oestrogen. If the cancer cells in your breast have oestrogen receptors, it is classified as "ER+." Likewise, if they do not, the cancer would be classified as "ER-." Patients with ER+ breast cancer may qualify for the Oncotype DX breast cancer test. Studies have shown patients who are ER+ are typically responsive to hormonal therapy, but only a doctor can advise what therapy is appropriate in the case of a particular tumour.

HER2 is a gene responsible for certain cancers. HER2 stands for Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2. If your breast cancer is tested for HER2 status, the results will be given as positive or negative. If your results are HER2 positive, you may be a candidate for anti-HER2 directed therapy, but only a doctor can advise you about the appropriate treatment.

Only patients with HER2-negative breast cancer qualify for the Oncotype DX breast cancer test.

You have many lymph nodes in your body. These are small organs which help remove unwanted particles such as bacteria and viruses from your body. If your tumour has not spread to nearby lymph nodes, your cancer will be classified as "lymph node negative (N-)." If the cancer has been found in the lymph nodes, the cancer will be classified as "lymph node positive (N+)."

Patients with N- breast cancer may be eligible for the Oncotype DX breast cancer test. Patients with N+, oestrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer may also be eligible for the test.

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended the Oncotype DX assay for use in clinical practice to guide adjuvant chemotherapy treatment decisions for certain patients with early-stage breast cancer, including micrometastatic disease. Access this guidance here. ASCO^® (American Society of Clinical Oncology^®), NCCN^® (National Comprehensive Cancer Network^®), ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology)* and St. Gallen Guidelines have incorporated the Oncotype DX assay in their guidelines as an option to help doctors determine whether patients with node-negative, oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer may benefit from chemotherapy.

The assay is reimbursed and widely available to patients across the UK and Ireland.