Susie, a retired nurse, found a dimple in her breast during a self-exam in February 2007. Although a mammogram and an ultrasound showed no evidence of an abnormality, a surgeon with whom she had previously worked insisted that she come in for an exam. He was concerned with what he found.

A biopsy revealed that Susie, age 55, had breast cancer. The following week, she had a lumpectomy and a sentinel node biopsy. She had Stage I, node-negative cancer. Susie’s oncologist, surgeon and radiation oncologist agreed that she would need radiation therapy, but could forgo chemotherapy. However, Susie, a former oncology nurse, was concerned that her cancer might be more likely to recur without chemotherapy.

Her oncologist ordered the Oncotype DX^® test. Susie’s Recurrence Score^® result was 16, indicating that her recurrence risk was in a low-risk group. The test indicated that she was in a group that was not likely to benefit from chemotherapy, and her oncologist planned to treat Susie with radiation and tamoxifen.

“The Oncotype DX test sealed the deal,” Susie said. “Knowing I could make a game plan with some certainty helped me get back to normalcy.”

Susie completed her radiation therapy in the summer of 2007, and continues to take tamoxifen. Now 56, Susie is busy helping raise two of her young grandchildren. She is also active in a garden club and enjoys skiing with her family.