Pippy 

I waited around 14 days for Oncotype score 

I waited around 6 weeks after for radiotherapy after 5 sessions of radiotherapy I was given tanoxifen I'm also pre menopausal 

I also had this through private medical 

I finished everything last nov 

good luck love Lara ️

Thank you. I hate feeling left on my own, just waiting! :neutral:

I hope that you found all your treatment bareable and are now fit and healthy! xxx

Pippy 

the tamoxifen do bring on menopause I'm not sure why your oncologist dismissed this I'm on month 6 of tamoxifen xx

love Lara x ️

Pippy 

also brands of tanoxifen vary I have found that tillomed brand are the best I will not take any other brand horrendous effects tillomed are perfect hardly no affects at all x 

hete to chat love Lara ️

Hello and thanks for your post,

I am so sorry to hear about your situation. I can imagine how frustrating this must be for you waiting to find out what your next steps are.

It is interesting to hear from other members of the forum about what their wait time was for the oncotype DX test.  Maybe others will come forward with their own experiences.

On Breast Cancer Now's website, they give a timeline of 10-14 days. Have a look at the information here

I have also looked at Breast Cancer Now's forum and they seem to say that it can take up to 4 weeks but I do hope that you will hear something sooner. Have a look here

There are variations up and down the country about when people start treatment when they get their results back but unfortunately, I can't be too specific on timings for yourself. A lot will depend on whether you have chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

For chemotherapy you usually have a pre-chemo assessment where they explain the different drugs you will be having, and any potential side effects and you may be asked to sign a consent form at this appointment.

For radiotherapy, you will have to go for a planning appointment. At this point, they plan how they are giving the radiotherapy and give you information about what to expect and when you will start.

For both appointments a lot will depend on the capacity and how many patients are waiting to start treatment. It doesn't help that we have several bank holidays over the next few weeks. Hopefully, as soon as you get your results back from your Oncotype DX you will know more.

As your medical team was waiting to find out whether chemotherapy was the best option for you it is difficult to talk about how long you should wait to start chemotherapy. The most important thing is to find out whether or not you would benefit from it. Remember you have had the main bulk of the treatment with your surgery.

I am sorry to hear that you don't feel that you have had enough support from your team. If you have a good relationship with your breast care nurse then do talk to them and let them know how you are feeling.

By all means, if you want a second opinion you can ask your team, though bear in mind this may mean you have to wait even longer to start treatment and you may find that you have to pay for it if you are accessing treatment privately. We have a page on our website about getting a second opinion on the NHS which you may find helpful to look at here

We do have some information about how to cope with hot flushes and other side effects brought on by menopausal symptoms which you might find helpful to look at here

I do hope that some of these links may be helpful but you are of course more than welcome to ring and speak to one of the helpline nurses. We are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm and our helpline number is freephone 0808 800 4040. 

All the very best,

Catherine

Catherine, thank you.

I am lucky in one respect, as I have private health care which is funding my treatement. At the same time that means I don't have a cancer nurse providing me with continuity of care and support. So right now I feel out on a limb with no one really looking out for me. With radio/hormone therapy and reconstruction still in my future, and possibly chemo, I feel like there is still a long road ahead, and without knowledge I can't plan. I am a single Mum and without my income I can't pay the mortgage etc.

I have managed to agree a second opinion, but they want to wait for the oncotype test result, which makes sense. x

Thank you for your support. 

I was dismissed as these side effects are 'normal'. That doesn't mean that it won't affect my way of life, my parenting, my new relationship or my role at work (I'm a Director), so I will need some support from the professionals to manage the side effects.

Thank you also for your effect with regards to the brand of Tamoxifen, I will bare this in mind! x

Pippy 

good luck stay here for support let me no how you get on 

love Lara ️

Pippy 

I also went on my private medical I had a breast nurse and her number , maybe call and ask if there is one available 

️ Lara 

You couldn't write it... 3 weeks since the test was 'submitted', I find out they had lost the sample (visions of my lone boob sitting on a self somewhere missing its owner! ). Found now, but another 2 wks wait, but given my age and the size of my tumour, the oncologist has warned me that he will be recommending chemo unless the score is low. ‍♀️