I would ask to be retested in the next month or two and if things are still not normal I would request a PET scan. Hopefully it resolves itself and ends up being nothing ❤️
August 20
What a stressful result to receive, especially given how favorable your overall profile looks. A Signatera test detects circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood, and a result that is "positive but below analytical range" means trace signals were detected, but not at a level considered definitively actionable.
Here's some Show Full Answer
What a stressful result to receive, especially given how favorable your overall profile looks. A Signatera test detects circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood, and a result that is "positive but below analytical range" means trace signals were detected, but not at a level considered definitively actionable.
Here's some important context about your situation:
- Grade 1 DCIS is the slowest-growing, least aggressive form
- Clean margins mean the surgery successfully removed the affected tissue
- No lymph node involvement is a very positive indicator
- No genetic mutations further lowers your risk profile
- An Oncotype score below 5 suggests very low recurrence risk A borderline Signatera result in someone with your profile can sometimes reflect surgical or reconstruction-related tissue activity rather than active cancer. However, this is absolutely a conversation to have directly with your oncologist, who can weigh this result against your full clinical picture.
It would be reasonable to ask your doctor about:
- Repeating the Signatera test in a few weeks to see if the signal changes
- Whether any additional imaging is warranted
- How frequently follow-up monitoring should happen going forward
Your overall profile is genuinely reassuring, but your care team is best placed to interpret this specific result in context. Don't sit on the anxiety — call them soon.
August 20
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