Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® Test 【New Patient Care Programme】

►Programme Details

The programme is designed for Hong Kong residents receiving breast cancer treatment at public hospitals. Applicants who have completed the Oncotype DX® Breast Recurrence Score® test at their own expense are eligible to apply for full reimbursement if their Recurrence Score result falls within the range of 26 to 100, indicating substantial benefit from chemotherapy. This funding support aims to alleviate the financial burden of these applicants.

 

►Funding Details

  • Paid programme, no asset screening required, patients agree to participate in the programme and pay the fees.
  • The hospital will send the tumor tissue samples to a laboratory in the United States for testing.
  • After receiving the results, the physician determines the necessity of chemotherapy for the patient.
    Recurrence Score® result
    0-25: No refund
    26-100: Full refund*

* The Patient Care Programme only accepts applications based on Oncotype DX® Breast Recurrence Score® test reports issued on or after June 1, 2024.

 

►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. This programme does not require any financial assessment or asset review.

►Required Documents for Application

Original Documents:

✓ Completed and signed application form with the appropriate jurisdiction <Download here>
✓ Official receipt of payment

Copy Documents:

✓ Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card
✓ Oncotype DX® test report

*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. Patients receive programme information and should contact Jacobson staff before making payment to follow up on the application.
  2. After payment is confirmed, the hospital will arrange for the tumor tissue to be sent to the United States within 2 working days.
  3. Eligible patients who receive the report should personally visit the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation to submit the refund application form and relevant documents.
  4. Once the refund application is confirmed, the funds will be disbursed by the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation in the form of a check within 4 weeks.

 

►Notes

  1. This program is only for breast cancer patients receiving treatment at public hospitals under the Hospital Authority and is not applicable to private clinics or hospitals.
  2. The testing application form for this program must be filled out and verified by a doctor from a public hospital under the Hospital Authority.
  3. The program has limited availability. Eligible applicants should submit their refund applications as early as possible.
  4. Applicants should carefully read the application materials to determine if they meet the eligibility criteria and conditions.
  5. The Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation ensures absolute confidentiality of applicants' personal information in accordance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.
  6. Applicants with medical insurance should first seek compensation from their insurance company before applying for this funding program.
  7. The refund arrangement under this program is only applicable for the first completion of the Oncotype DX® test with single primary tumor and for recurrence score result ranging from 26-100. Refund applications will not be accepted for recurrence score result ranging from 0-25.
  8. Applicants with multiple tumor samples tested at the same time are not eligible to apply for this program.
  9. For details regarding program application and refund arrangements, inquiries can be made to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation or the sponsoring pharmaceutical company.
  10. The Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation reserves the right to make the final decision on application approval, and any changes will be made without prior notice.
  11. The Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation or the sponsoring pharmaceutical company reserves the right to terminate the provision of assistance under this program at any time without prior notice.
  12. To apply for funding under this programme, applicants must become members of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation's Breast Cancer Support Centre.

 

►Oncotype DX® Breast Recurrence Score® Test – Patient Care Plan 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 personalized 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 over treated. 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 3 or more, you should consult your doctor for more details.


Q5: Is this Patient Care Program now open for applications?

A5: The 2024-2025 Patient Care 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