Until every woman knows
Although Mother’s Day has passed, this video just came to my attention and it seems an ideal way to have marked the day. But of course, we don’t need a special day set aside to let our mothers know how loved they are, so please take a few moments to watch and share this video about breast cancer treatment with all the mothers, sisters, aunts, and women in your life.
Why is this so important?
Because not all breast cancers are the same and not every woman with early-stage breast cancer needs chemotherapy.
And 50% of women who are eligible never hear about Oncotype DX, the test that can help patients understand if chemotherapy is right for their type of breast cancer. I certainly wish I had known about it when I received my diagnosis.
Note
Dr. Susan Love from the Army of Women also shared a personal story regarding Oncotype DX via a special Mother’s Day post on her blog.*
You can also find more information at
http://www.facebook.com/UntilEveryWomanKnows
*In the spirit of transparency, Genomic Health has been a supporter of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and has done so in part through a grant.
Thanks for sharing and I will certainly pass it on. I think this is such an important resource for newly diagnosed patients with early stage BC. That was my diagnosis 10 years ago and I too would have loved this test to have been available then. I opted for chemo after weeks of decision making, weighing up risk factors, etc. My fear was that it would impair my fertility – as it turned out it did and now I live with the sad knowledge that I will never know what could have been if I had been in a position to make a different decision. I may have ended up going for chemo but at least I would have done it with the full knowledge that it was needed. I am now left with the lingering suspicion that it wasn’t.
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Hi Angela, thanks for taking the time to comment, and believe me I really do understand your frustration and sadness. Warmly, Marie
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Angela, I am so sorry that this is the legacy that you live with. I too was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer but I was lucky enough to have this test recommended to me by my oncologist. The test indicated I would benefit from chemotherapy so while I wished that wasn’t what i had to go through, at least I sat in that chemo chair with the knowledge that I was there for a good reason. I cannot imagine how hard it would be otherwise. I have one more session of chemo to go and like you, I am worried about the effect it will have on my fertility outcome (I am 31) but I now know I had to do chemo – a very different situation than you were in.
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Hi Susan, thanks for reaching out to Angela and I agree that knowing the chemotherapy is needed vs wondering is it, is certainly some comfort while going through the treatment – speaking from personal experience here. I have posted quite a bit of resoucre material regarding fertility options for younger women with breast cancer – just do a search on the categories for fertility. Wishing you well with the rest of the treatment and please drop by the blog anytime you have questions or are looking for support. Marie
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This is so timely – thank you for posting. My best friend has just been diagnosed with DCIS and I am going to make sure she is aware of this test. Thank you!!!
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That’s what it is all about Caroline!
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\Is this test available in Ireland or just the US?
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Hi Shauna – good question for the Irish readers. Yes it is the short answer. The test is already in use in the US, Germany and the UK, but was formerly available in Ireland only as part of a clinical trial that took place between 2007 and August 2010. I must point out that the test is applicable only to those who have early-stage breast cancer. If you wish to find out more, please email me directly ( see Contact Details) and I can give you more information. Marie
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Thanks for posting and I am wondering why we aren’t hearing more about this test in Ireland? It sounds incredibly important
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Hi Deirdre, well you are hearing it now! Seriously, I agree with you – so please do spread the word so that every woman knows she has options when it comes to early stage breast cancer treatment.
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Well if Dr Love is behind it, it must be something worth taking note of it! Thanks for the info JBBC
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Hi Fiona, I too have huge respect and admiration for Dr Love and particularly her Army of Women initiative. Thanks for the comment.
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It is heartening to see us moving closer to more targeted and personalised cancer treatment
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Indeed Emma, and especially heartening when it comes to moving some way towards removing the blunderbus approach of chemotherapy.
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It is great to see advances such as this which will spare some women the horror of chemotherapy
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Oh how I wish I had the opportunity to avail of this test when I was diagnosed with BC in 01. I may have made different decisions about my treatment, but I guess there is no use regretting and at least more women will benefit from personalised treatment now.
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I had the test done last year and my score led me to a decision of not undergoing chemo. I am glad I was spared it, though to be honest, there are still days when I am feeling low after hearing of a friend’s recurrence, that i get twinges of fear and wondering if I should have had it for insurance!
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Great to hear you were spared the rigours of chemo, but you know, in all honesty, with or without chemo, the fears are always lurking. Just keep vigilant, keep healthy, keep informed and keep your medical appointments – won’t make the fear go away but you will know you are doing the best to stay healthy that you can.
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Thanks so much for this info. I hope I will never need to know about it for myself or my loved ones, but now I know it is available should I need it and I will certainly pass it on if I need to.
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Thank you so much, Marie. I do know about the Oncotype DX test, but many women do not. I will share your post with my readers. I so appreciate all the breast cancer info you provide that might save women’s lives.
XOXOXO,
Jan
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Thank you for passing it on Jan x
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I had consulted with 3 oncologists and was ready to start chemo when my Oncotype results came in and showed that chemo only offered a tiny increase in benefits. The test is expensive, but so worth it. My friend who is an 11-year survivor marvels at the things now available to the newly diagnosed, and I hope that trend continues. How cool would it be to look back at my own experience as archaic as technology and research move forward? Thanks for yet another important and well-done post.
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Thank you Nancy and yes I agree that we shall look back and marvel at the archaic one size fills all nature of the treatment for breast cancer over the past few years. I am so glad to hear you were spared chemo too thanks to the oncotype DX test. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
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Hello: I had the test done also – and my score came back at 18. I choose not to do the chemo.. I was just wondering what you score was…. Dianne
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Hi Dianne, I didn’t have the test done as it wasn’t available to me when I was diagnosed with BC in 2004. I think someone commented above that they had a score of 13. Marie
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