Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health the hospitals the Oncotype DX test is available for patients; if he will outline the benefits of this test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16129/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Oncotype DX is a laboratory test indicated for women for node negative, hormone receptor positive and HER 2 Neu negative invasive breast cancer. The test provides a risk score that helps determine whether a woman should proceed with chemotherapy in addition to hormone therapy. The clinical data published for the use of this test has indicated that up to 30% of women who would otherwise have received chemotherapy will now be considered as low risk and as a result will be spared the toxicity and long term side effects of treatment.

The HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) requires that the test be confined to a clearly defined population of node negative breast cancer patients who have had their treatment plan and suitability for chemotherapy and testing confirmed at one of the designated cancer centres (including the satellite at Letterkenny General Hospital).

The test is currently available for eligible patients who have been reviewed at a multi-disciplinary meeting (MDT) in the designated cancer centres. However testing is provided in any public unit once the patient has been discussed at MDT and has fulfilled the clinical criteria outlined in the guidelines developed as part of the approval process.