About the Test

If you’ve been recently diagnosed with early stage, estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), HER2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer, the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test can help you and your doctor understand what treatment options are right for you—including whether you’re likely to benefit from chemotherapy.^1,2

The Breast Recurrence Score test looks at several cancer-related genes in your tumour tissue. Because every woman’s tumour is unique, understanding the biology of your specific tumour will help you and your doctor make more confident decisions about your care. Find out if you’re eligible for the test.

How the test works

The Breast Recurrence Score test is a genomic test—it looks at the activity of tumour genes. Specifically, the test measures the activity of a group of cancer-related genes in your tumour tissue. The activity of these genes can provide information about how your tumour might behave in the future, including how likely it is to grow and spread or whether it is likely to respond to chemotherapy (in addition to hormonal therapy).

After the test, you’ll get a score between 0-100. A low score means the cancer has a lower chance of returning and you have a lower chance of benefiting from chemotherapy. A high score means the cancer has a higher chance of returning and you have a higher chance of benefiting from chemotherapy. Learn more about the test results.

To date, the Breast Recurrence Score test has been ordered in over 900,000 patients.³ Many women who received high Recurrence Score results were able to choose chemotherapy as a potentially life-saving treatment. The majority of women with low Recurrence Score results were able to effectively pursue hormonal therapy alone and avoid the unnecessary side effects of chemotherapy.^4-11

The Oncotype DX test has been available in Canada since the end of 2007, and, to date, over 50,000 Canadian women have benefited from testing. In all Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick and Newfoundland), the test is publicly funded for patients with early stage node negative breast cancer. The test is also publicly funded for patients with node positive breast cancer (1-3 nodes) in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland. Individual patients also have the option of paying for the test themselves if there is no coverage in their province, or if they do not meet pre-specified provincial eligibility criteria.

Getting the test: No additional procedures are necessary

Getting the test is easy. The test is performed on a small amount of your tumour tissue that was removed during your original surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy or core biopsy). You will NOT need any additional surgery or procedure to get the Breast Recurrence Score test.

Here’s how the test works:

STEP 1 of 6

You have surgery to remove your tumour.

STEP 2 of 6

Your doctor orders the Breast Recurrence Score test.

STEP 3 of 6

The hospital sends a sample of your tumour tissue to the Genomic Health laboratory.

STEP 4 of 6

The Genomic Health laboratory examines the genes in your tumour.

STEP 5 of 6

Your doctor receives the results (approximately two weeks after Genomic Health receives your tissue).

STEP 6 of 6

You and your doctor review the results and make decisions about your treatment.

Reasons to get the Breast Recurrence Score test

• It gives you information about the likelihood that chemotherapy will or will not help you. Several studies have consistently proven that the Breast Recurrence Score test can predict whether you will benefit from chemotherapy.^1,2 Therefore, the Breast Recurrence Score test can help you and your physician tailor a treatment plan specifically for you.

• It’s included in all major breast cancer treatment guidelines. Organizations include the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN^®), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO^®), the St. Gallen Consensus panel, the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE), and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).^12-16

Get more information

• Breast Recurrence Score Patient Brochure (“Have you been newly diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer?”)
• Breast Recurrence Score Patient/Surgeon Workbook (“Patient Guide to Early-stage Invasive Breast Cancer Surgery and Treatment”)