Respected Australian breast cancer surgeon Jane O’Brien discusses the Oncotype DX breast cancer assay.
RxPONDER: Medical Oncologist Dr Richard de Boer
Medical oncologist Dr Richard de Boer discusses interim results from the Oncotype DX RxPONDER study, presented at the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
RxPONDER: Professor Arlene Chan
Professor Arlene Chan discusses interim results from the Oncotype DX RxPONDER study, presented at the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
TAILORx explained: The Australian Perspective
New findings from the landmark TAILORx study have revealed that the Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay is able to accurately identify the 70% of early breast cancer patients who can safely avoid chemotherapy, as well as the 30% of women for whom chemotherapy is optimal. Australian oncologist Richard de Boer explains the importance of this outcome globally and for Australian women.
Who Might Benefit from Oncotype DX?
The Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test can be used by all patients newly diagnosed with early stage, invasive breast cancer who are:
• Node-negative or node-positive (cancer has spread to no more than 3 lymph nodes)
• Oestrogen receptor (ER) positive and
• Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative
Patient Stories
Susie’s Story
Mother of three, Susie Nassour, was diagnosed with breast cancer just days before her 50th birthday. She had a 25 mm tumour and cancer was detected in one of her lymph nodes. She was keen to avoid chemotherapy, if possible.
Mary’s Story
Mary Miras was vigilant about regular breast self examination. After discovering a lump, it turned out to be a 27 mm, grade 3 tumour. Cancer cells were also found in one of the lymph nodes under her arm. However, she was keen to avoid chemotherapy, if her doctor thought this was safe.
Maxine’s Story
Maxine Gladwin was 47 and single mum to three teenage daughters when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. When her oncologist advised chemotherapy treatment, she was devastated – fearing it would impact her health, her job and her ability to provide for her family.
Deb’s Story
Deb Force was diagnosed with breast cancer after routine screening. While she could not feel a lump, doctors discovered a large, 45 mm tumour. Despite the size of her tumour, Deb was hopeful she could avoid chemotherapy.
Wendy’s Story
59 year old Wendy Dunstone felt fitter than she had ever been when diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2015. Like many other women, she was keen to avoid chemotherapy – particularly because she had seen the impact of this treatment on a close relative.
References:
1. Paik S et al. NEJM 2004; 351: 2817-26 2. Albain KS et al. Lancet Oncol 2010; 11: 55-65 3. Paik S et al. J Clin Oncol. 2006; 24: 3726-34 4. Dowsett M et al. J Clin Oncol 2010; 28:1829-34 5. Harris LN, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2016 6. NCCN Guidelines Breast Cancer Version 2.2016 7. Senkus E, et al. Ann Oncol. 2015; 26:v8-v30 8. Coates AS, et al. Ann Oncol. 2015; 26:1533-1546
Oncotype DX® and Recurrence Score® are registered trademarks of Genomic Health, Inc. Oncotype DX® is under license from Genomic Health Inc.