I have been accepted on the OPTIMA atrial for breast cancer. It uses the prosignia test. It seems a good idea to be better informed. Could I buy a test?
I have been accepted on the OPTIMA atrial for breast cancer. It uses the prosignia test. It seems a good idea to be better informed. Could I buy a test?
Hi Joyce Louise,
My name is Liz and I’m one of the Macmillan cancer information nurse specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.
Thank you for contacting us about paying for a Prosigna test.
You can pay for the Prosigna test yourself, but your treatment team will need to order the test for you and will be sent the results to discuss with you. It costs around £1,400. However, if Prosigna is suitable for you, it’s usually available on the NHS across the UK.
The aim of the OPTIMA trial is to see if it is safe and effective to use a test like Prosigna to choose treatment.
As OPTIMA is a randomised trial you will be out into 1 of 2 groups. Neither you nor your doctor will be able to decide which group you are in.
Group 1
The Prosigna test won’t be used to decide your treatment. You will have chemotherapy followed by 5 to 10 years of hormone therapy.
Group 2
The Prosigna test will be used to decide your treatment. You will have either chemotherapy followed by 5 to 10 years of hormone therapy or 5 to 10 years of hormone therapy only.
If you are having chemotherapy neither you nor your doctor will know if the Prosigna test was used to decide your treatment.
I would suggest that you discuss your feelings about having the Prosigna test with your oncologist and the researchers. Clinical trials have strict entry conditions and the research team need to know about any concerns you have.
I hope this information has been helpful. If you have any further questions, please get in touch by email, webchat or phone. The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm. You can also visit our Online Community, where you can talk to others who have been affected by cancer.
Best wishes,
Take care.
Liz
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. Ref LZD/DT
