Frequently Asked Questions
What is CanAssist Breast?
CanAssist Breast is a prognostic test that helps oncologists to determine the right treatment plan for each patient. The test classifies patients as ‘low-risk’ or ‘high-risk’ based on the patient’s breast cancer recurrence risks over five years.
What is the core benefit of CanAssist Breast?
CanAssist Breast helps to identify the likelihood of breast cancer returning post-surgery. Our test classifies patients as ‘low-risk’ or ‘high-risk’ based on the patient’s breast cancer recurrence risks over five years.. The clear-cut test result provides doctors with additional information that can be used for treatment planning.
When should CanAssist Breast be performed?
The doctor needs to prescribe CanAssist Breast post-surgery and before proceeding with the cancer treatment so that the treatment can be personalized for every patient.
Can the doctor prescribe CanAssist Breast after the patient has begun chemotherapy?
Yes, doctors can prescribe CanAssist Breast even if the patient has had a few rounds of chemotherapy with the sample collected before initiating treatment. If the patient wants to stop chemotherapy or is having adverse reactions to chemotherapy, then the test can still be done on the primary tumor specimen.
How many days do you take to deliver CanAssist Breast report?
CanAssist Breast report is available within ten business days from the date the FFPE block is received by OncoStem.
. How can early-stage breast cancer patients potentially avoid chemotherapy?
Each patient’s cancer is unique. If you have been diagnosed with early-stage, invasive breast cancer, it is likely that you may not benefit from chemotherapy. Large scale studies have shown that many early-stage patients are over-treated. Once your risk of breast cancer recurrence is known, you can consult your doctor to personalize your treatment plan and possibly avoid the side effects of chemotherapy.
What is CanAssist Breast Risk Score?
CanAssist Breast risk score determines the patient’s breast cancer recurrence risk over five years, allowing ‘low-risk’ breast cancer recurrence patients’ to avoid chemotherapy and its side effects.
What do you mean by ‘Test validated on Asian patients?’
Indian breast cancer patients are more likely to be younger, have higher grade tumors, and are often node-positive at diagnosis. CanAssist Breast has helped over 400 Asian patients to make an informed decision about their breast cancer treatment.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
Some of the possible side effects of chemotherapy are:
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation / Diarrhea
- Anaemia
- Higher risk of infections
- Weight loss
- Loss of concentration and focus
- Fertility problems
- Nerve and muscle problems
- Cardio & liver toxicity