NeVadasMitis wrote:Hi there,
I was wondering what have been the experiences of my fellow Canadians when it comes to requesting and obtaining genomic testing to determine the specific characteristics of their cancer. We brought it up with the oncologist once at the beginning (when we were still hopeful that surgery would take care of the mets) and at that point he kind of blew it off as not necessary (despite the fact that he's a well-respected immuno researcher).
So question for Canadian patients: how and when have you obtained this testing? Was it only only upon request, or in response to a specific situation? Reading the posts of our friends to the south, it kind of sounds like it's done there at major cancer centres as a matter of course....wondering if we should start pushing, and if so what reaction we might get....dad's starting folfox + avastin next week...
Thanks
NeVadasMitis wrote:Thank you for your responses. We're in Ontario. So it sounds like we'll have to fight for it. And if I understand correctly, we'll definitely need this knowledge for applying to clinical trials.
Hurry up, private sector testing labs!
Thanks again.
NeVadasMitis wrote:Thank you NHMike for this info! I had no idea of these distinctions. It's hard to advocate for your loved ones when you don't even know what questions to ask! As the original tumour was removed in 2012,I imagine the biopsy material is likely long gone, but, according to what you're saying, at least an MSS/MSI-high test could be done.
I wish all these tests had been presented as options from the start, even if we had to pay out of pocket. We are in a major city (not Toronto, but still with a cancer centre) and the onc is a researcher so I don't really get it. Cost, I guess?
..... (and the health boards in Canada)
I wish all these tests had been presented as options from the start, even if we had to pay out of pocket.
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