How do I get tested? Understand my results?
Getting Tested
The Oncotype DX test is performed on tissue removed during your original surgery. Similar to other laboratory tests, the Oncotype DX test must be ordered by an authorized healthcare provider.
If you have determined that you may be a potential candidate for the Oncotype DX test (click here to see if you qualify), you may want to talk with your doctor about the possibility of getting tested. For a list of questions and observations that may assist you in your discussions with your doctor about the Oncotype DX test, click here.
If you and your doctor agree that the test is right for you, you will likely want to find out if the test is covered by your insurance. You can contact your insurance company directly, or your doctor can help by working with Genomic Health’s Genomic Access Program (GAP), which can assist with research into your insurance benefits and provide other services such as referral to financial assistance programs, if you qualify. For information on reimbursement for the Oncotype DX test, as well as other questions, call 866-ONCOTYPE (866-662-6897).
Talking With Your Doctor About the Oncotype DX Test
Below are a few questions that you may want to ask your doctor concerning the Oncotype DX test:
- What information will we be considering as we decide whether or not I should receive chemotherapy? Should results from the Oncotype DX test be part of that mix? For eligible men and women, the Oncotype DX test can provide additional information, based on the genomic features of their colon tumor, that they and their doctors can utilize in deciding on a course of treatment. Coupled with other pieces of information, the results from the Oncotype DX test can help patients and their doctors make decisions about whether or not to include chemotherapy in their treatment plan. It can also help indicate how likely it is that a person’s cancer may return in the future (recurrence). The Oncotype DX test provides information in addition to standard measurements (such as tumor stage and lymph node status) that doctors and their patients have traditionally used to estimate how likely an individual’s cancer is to return, and to help make treatment decisions.
- I think I may be a candidate for the Oncotype DX test. Would you recommend the Oncotype DX test as a way to help assess if I will benefit from chemotherapy? Men and women with stage II colon cancer who have undergone initial surgical resection may be eligible.
- I understand that insurance plans may cover the Oncotype DX test. Do you know if mine will? Genomic Health, the company that performs the Oncotype DX test, has a program called GAP (Genomic Access Program) that is designed to help doctors and their patients determine if insurance coverage is available and, if so, obtain coverage. Genomic Health also offers a financial assistance program based on financial eligibility. For more information, call 866-ONCOTYPE (866-662-6897). For additional insurance information, visit the Insurance Information section of this website.
- What is MMR? The DNA mismatch repair system recognizes and repairs erroneous insertions, deletions, and mis-incorporation of nucleotides that can arise during DNA replication and recombination, as well as repairing some forms of DNA damage. Approximately 15% of stage II colorectal cancers are caused by a defect in the DNA mismatch repair pathway. MMR testing is helpful in identifying the ~15% of stage II colon cancer patients whose tumors are characterized by MMR deficiency (MMR-D). In the QUASAR study, stage II patients with resected colon cancer with MMR-D tumors have a significantly lower risk of recurrence compared to patients with MMR proficient (MMR-P) tumors. (Gray RG, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2011.)