@A MyBCTeam Member @A MyBCTeam Member They won't order special lab work or scans for
'peace of mind'. They order when something is suspected. Unless you have a doctor that will write the order a certain way to get insurance to cover it. Lots of insurance companies need to authorize special blood tests and scans so when they look at the order if it said something like 'checking they are not going to pay for it.
If any woman is on the fearful side and needs that peace of mind they can always lie and say they are having rib pain or pain in the center of chest, they can tell their doctors sometimes the pain lasts for a day and sometimes for a few hours and that it just started soon after your last visit or you can go to the ER and say the same thing. I am being serious. Insurance companies want to play their games, we can play ours.

Mentioned Users

A MyBCTea...

A MyBCTea...

I just had my first Signatera blood test and oncologist ordered a second one the week before I see him in the office in Oct. I guess this also tests for genetic or environmental causes….they may contact my family members who also have cancers to see if they will agree to this test also….

Here’s some info I found on this test and why it’s ordered:

The Signatera test is a personalized circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) (ctDNA) blood test that detects tiny fragments of cancer DNA in the blood to monitor treatment response, detect early recurrence, and assess risk after treatment. It requires tumor tissue for initial personalization, then uses blood draws for ongoing monitoring.

A positive result indicates the presence of ctDNA and suggests a higher risk of recurrence, while a negative result suggests a reduced risk and effective treatment.

How the Test Works
Personalized Assay: Initially, a sample of the patient's tumor tissue is used to identify unique genetic mutations, creating a custom "tumor signature" for that individual.
ctDNA Detection: This personalized assay then detects and tracks extremely low concentrations of ctDNA—fragments of cancer DNA that break away from cancer cells and circulate in the blood.
Monitoring: Regular blood draws are performed to monitor changes in ctDNA levels over time.
What the Test Shows

Molecular Residual Disease (MRD):
It can indicate whether microscopic cancer remains after surgery or other initial treatments, suggesting a higher risk of recurrence.
Treatment Effectiveness:
By tracking ctDNA levels, doctors can see if a new treatment is working by observing changes in ctDNA concentration.

Recurrence Risk:
It helps identify patients at high risk of cancer returning, potentially enabling earlier intervention and more effective treatment decisions.
Key Benefits

Personalized Approach:
The test is tailored to each patient's unique tumor mutations, improving accuracy.

Early Detection:
Longitudinal testing can detect recurrence earlier than traditional imaging, sometimes months in advance.
Informed Treatment Decisions:
The results help guide decisions on further treatment or therapy adjustments.

Important Considerations
Tumor Tissue Required:
An initial tumor sample is needed to create the personalized test.
Serial Testing:
The test is most effective when done regularly over time to monitor trends in ctDNA levels.
Doctor Consultation:
It's important to discuss the frequency and implications of the test with your doctor to understand how it applies to your specific cancer and situation.
******

Some of that info may be over our heads but it’s nice to be able to find it again if and when it is ordered so we know how it works and what it means to each of us….LH

I get the Signatera blood test every month. They come to the house to take my blood. I receive the kit from the lab a few days before. You should demand the test. My doctor says it is the most important one I take. I also have a regular blood test once a month. I am stage 4 with Mets to spine and ribs. I also have a total body nuclear scan and a cat scan with contrast of the lungs, stomach and abdomen every three months. I am on Ibrance and Letrozole. If this doctor won’t order the test get another one who is current on the latest test. It doesn’t cost him anything to do the test so I don’t understand why he won’t.

I've been asking for reoccurrence tests myself and my oncologist said that there's not much to check and that he can do a chest ultrasound "if I want one"... kind of maddening.

Demand the test! I did! Especially if you are not doing any preventative measures. You can also call the Signatera team direct and they will call the doctor office. The dr will say only stage 4 but use the reason I do as not taking any traditional therapy. Good Luck and be persistent