Chemotherapy needs test considered for coverage by N.B.
Ontario and Quebec already cover costs of Oncotype DX test
The New Brunswick government is considering paying for a new test that could determine whether some breast cancer patients need to go through chemotherapy.
A Fredericton woman is lobbying for the provincial government to pay for Oncotype DX, which is covered by medicare in two other provinces.
Wanda Duplessis was diagnosed with breast cancer five months ago and she underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
She is waiting now for the results from her Oncotype DX test, which may reveal whether she needs to go through chemotherapy.
"You do this test and if you fall on the low side of the scale then you don’t need to have chemo if you fall on the intermediate or high then you need chemo," she said.
Duplessis heard about the new test, which is not widely known in Canada, through an American doctor.
The test looks at the activity in 21 genes of the tumour and predicts the likelihood of the cancer reoccurring.
Duplessis paid $4,100 to have the test done.
While she paid for the test herself, Duplessis said the provincial government could save money by paying for these tests because it would be cheaper than covering the costs of chemotherapy.
"When you look at that, that is reason enough to bring it forward for women," she said.
Ontario and Quebec already cover the costs of these tests.
Dr. Eshwar Kumar, the co-chief executive officer of the New Brunswick Cancer Network, said the provincial government is examining whether it will cover the cost of this test.
But he said more study is needed on these tests.
"There is a debate," Kumar said.
"We don’t want to jump on the bandwagon straightaway because that will blow our budget completely."
He said people need to realize that not everyone would qualify for the test, even if the provincial government approved its use in New Brunswick.
The tests are only done on women with early stage breast cancer, with no cancer in lymph nodes and is estrogen receptive positive.
"Less than 50 per cent of women currently diagnosed with breast cancer might be eligible, might fall into category who might need the test," Kumar said.