FAQs

1. What is CanAssist Breast test ?

CanAssist Breast is a prognostic test that helps oncologists to determine the right treatment plan for each patient. The test classifies patients as ‘low-risk’ or ‘high-risk’ based on the patient’s breast cancer recurrence risks over five years.

2. What is the core benefit of CanAssist Breast ?

CanAssist Breast helps to identify the likelihood of breast cancer returning post-surgery. Our test classifies patients as ‘low-risk’ or ‘high-risk’ based on the patient’s breast cancer recurrence risks over five years. The clear-cut test result provides doctors with additional information that can be used for treatment planning.

3. When should CanAssist Breast be performed ?

The doctor needs to prescribe CanAssist Breast once surgery is completed, and before proceeding with the cancer treatment so that the treatment can be personalized for every patient.

4. How many days do you take to deliver CanAssist Breast report ?

CanAssist Breast report is available within eight business days from the date the FFPE block is received by OncoStem.

5. How can early-stage breast cancer patients potentially avoid chemotherapy ?

Each patient’s cancer is unique. If you have been diagnosed with early-stage, invasive breast cancer, it is likely that you may not benefit from chemotherapy. Large scale studies have shown that many early-stage patients are over- treated. Once your risk of breast cancer recurrence is known, you can consult your doctor to personalize your treatment plan and possibly avoid the side effects of chemotherapy.

6. What are the side effects of chemotherapy ?

Some of the possible side effects of chemotherapy are:

• Hair loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation / Diarrhea
• Anaemia
• Higher risk of infections
• Weight loss
• Loss of concentration and focus
• Fertility problems
• Nerve and muscle problems
• Cardio & liver toxicity

7. What is the sample needed for performing CanAssist Breast test ?

• CanAssist Breast Test is performed on The FFPE (Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded) tumour tissue blocks. The tumour tissue is obtained from surgery performed for Breast cancer treatment (E.g., BCS - Breast Conservation Surgery, MRM- Modified Radical Mastectomy, WLE- Wide Local Excision etc.)
• Submit all the tumour blocks available for performance of the test. The blocks are returned to patient after testing.

8. What are the guidelines on sample fixation for the CanAssist Breast test ?

• The Sample obtained from a surgery performed for Breast cancer treatment should be put in 10 % Neutral Buffered Formalin with in 1 hour of surgical resection (cold ischemia time)
• The sample should be fixed in 10 % Neutral Buffered Formalin for a duration of 6 – 72 hours
• The details of Fixative used, fixation time and specimen/ cold ischemia time should be noted.