Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® Test【Financial Assistance Programme】

►Programme Details

The programme is designed for HA Hospital patients, providing financial support to undergo Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® Test.

 

►Funding Details

  • Free programme, subject to asset screening, eligible patients who successfully apply can receive the testing.
  • The hospital will send the tumor tissue sample to a US laboratory for testing.
  • The doctor will receive the results and determine the patient's need for chemotherapy.
  • The Financial Assistance Programme is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 year.

 

►Requirements

  1. Permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, newly diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer and meet the following clinical requirements:
    - Hormone receptor positive (HR+)
    - Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-)
    - Node-negative or node-positive (up to 3 positive nodes)
  2. Income requirement: Average monthly personal income of the past 12 months: HK$18,400 or below / Receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA).

 

 

►Required Documents for Application

Original Documents:

✓ Completed  Oncotype DX® Breast Recurrent Score Financial Assistance Programme Application Form <Download here>
✓ Doctor's referral letter for Oncotype DX® Breast Recurrent Score Financial Assistance Programme <Download here>

Copy Documents:

✓ HKSAR identity card
✓ Financial proof of individual income

*The application form can be download here or obtained from the Breast Cancer Support Center of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation.

 

►Application Procedures

  1. Referral letter signed and stamped by the doctor + completed application form.
  2. Submit the application in person at the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation’s BCSC.
  3. If the application is successful, you will receive a confirmation letter within 5-7 working days. After receiving the confirmation letter, please contact the Jacobson staff for follow-up.
  4. The hospital will arrange for the tumor to be sent to the US for testing, and the test report will be sent to the applicant's attending physician for explanation.

►Notes

1. This programme is only applicable to breast cancer patients in HA hospitals.
2. The application form for the testing must be completed and signed by a doctor from a public hospital under the Hospital Authority for verification.
3. This programme is only applicable to Hong Kong permanent residents.
4. Applicants should carefully read the application information to determine their eligibility and conditions for application.
5. In accordance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation ensures that applicants' personal data is kept strictly confidential.
6. If necessary, the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation may request further information and documentation from the applicant, interview the applicant and their family members, conduct home visits, or contact the applicant's primary doctor for more information.
7. If the applicant has medical insurance, they should first apply for reimbursement from the insurance company before applying for this funding programme.
8. If multiple tumor samples are tested simultaneously, the applicant will not be eligible for this programme.
9. The Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation reserves the right to make the final decision on the approval of applications; changes will be made without prior notice.
10. The Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation or the sponsoring pharmaceutical company has the right to discontinue assistance for this program at any time without notice.
11. Applicants must be members of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation's Breast Cancer Support Center to apply for funding.


►Oncotype DX® Breast Recurrence Score® Test – Financial Assistance Programme Q&A:

 

Q1: What is the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® Test?

A1: This is a genomic test performed on a patient’s breast tumor tissue to provide personalised information to help understand whether adding chemotherapy to her treatment regimen is likely to be beneficial.  The tumor specimen is sent to Genomic Health in the USA for testing.

 

Q2: What makes the Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay unique compared to other tests?

A2: Clinical research evidence has shown that traditional clinical-pathological features (such as tumor size, grade or clinical risk classification) cannot accurately predict chemotherapy benefit. The Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score result is the only validated predictor of chemotherapy benefit, helping to reduce the risks of over-treatment and under-treatment.

According to traditional clinical risk factors, 73% of high clinical risk breast cancer patients had a Recurrence Score of 0-25, suggesting they may have been overtreated. 43% of patients classified as low clinical risk had a Recurrence Score of 26-100, indicating they may have been undertreated without the Recurrence Score information.

 

Q3: How can the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® Test results determine the treatment plan?

A3: The test results will provide a Recurrence Score result to determine the treatment plan; a Recurrence Score result between 26 and 100 indicates that the patient is likely to benefit from adding chemotherapy to hormonal therapy. For most patients with a Recurrence Score result of 0 to 25, adding chemotherapy may not lower the risk of recurrence, which means that over-treatment can be avoided. The test results help the doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for the patient.

 

Q4: Who are eligible for the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® Test?

A4: If you have been recently diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer and meet the following criteria, you may be eligible for the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score®: hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, and lymph node-negative. If you have positive lymph nodes and the number is no more than 3, you should consult your doctor for more details.

 

Q5: Is this Financial Assistance Programme now open for applications?

A5: The 2024-2025 Financial Assistance Program is currently accepting applications, and there is still quota available. You are welcome to inquire with our staff for more details on the availability of quota.

Address:

Hong Kong Centre

22/F, Jupiter Tower, 9 Jupiter Street, North Point, Hong Kong

 

HKBCF Jockey Club Breast Health Centre (Kowloon)

28 Lung Cheung Road, Ngau Chi Wan, Kowloon

 

Office hour from Monday to Saturday:

9:10am-1:00pm and 2:00pm-6:00pm

 

Tel: 2525 6033