“My Decision Score was 6.2, which is considered elevated. My 10-year total risk of recurrence (DCIS + invasive) was 22% with breast conserving surgery alone and 5% with breast conserving surgery plus radiation. I felt a lot more confident moving forward with RT knowing the decision was based on my personal tumor biology. I have 100% peace of mind with these test results.”
Rachel is 70-years old, retired and living in San Diego. She has breast cancer in her family history – her mom is 93 and a 2-time breast cancer survivor – but Rachel has no genetic mutations in the BRACA1 or BRACA2 genes to increase her risk of breast cancer. “I am lucky. I stay active and enjoy being a big band vocalist with Southwestern Community College. We have 3 generations that all live together. Family means everything to me, especially with my recent diagnosis.”
In February 2023 when I had my mammogram, it was abnormal, and the doctor recommended that I have an excisional biopsy/lumpectomy. Following the lumpectomy, I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and referred for radiation therapy (RT) based on the large size of my tumor. I met with an oncology nurse practitioner who gave me risk of recurrence based on a breast cancer nomogram, and I didn’t feel comfortable making treatment decisions based on this. It seemed too general and impersonal.”
“I did a lot of research online and learned about DCISionRT, which could tell me my personal risk of recurrence based on my existing tumor biology. It seemed like a good option for me to learn more about my DCIS and make a more informed treatment decision. I requested the test from my surgical oncologist, who simply responded via email that ‘the institution doesn’t perform the DCISionRT test’. I reached out to Dede, PreludeDx’s patient advocate, for assistance in getting the DCISionRT test. The clock was ticking, and I needed to decide regarding RT before mid-June. We finally got the radiation oncologist to order the test.”
“My Decision Score was 6.2, which is considered elevated. My 10-year total risk of recurrence (DCIS + invasive) was 22% with breast conserving surgery alone and 5% with breast conserving surgery plus radiation. I felt a lot more confident moving forward with RT knowing the decision was based on my personal tumor biology. I have 100% peace of mind with these test results. In fact, given my age and current diabetes, without the DCISionRT test results, I probably would have not done radiation. I didn’t want to put myself through all the side effects of radiation. And for now, adjuvant hormone therapy is on hold. The test results helped me to further evaluate my low risk following RT. ”
“I feel strongly about helping educate other women and encouraging them to ask questions, do their research and advocate for the best treatment decision for them. I would also recommend anyone diagnosed with DCIS to get the DCISionRT test, so they can make treatment decisions based on their own biology. And keep a positive attitude. I’m very happy to have done the DCISionRT test and have nothing but positive things to say about what PreludeDx is doing.”
