Need advice as to where I can get Serum Her2 test done

[Cathya]

Hi;

I live in Ontario, along the St. Lawrence River between Brockville and Cornwall. I am starting herceptin again after 4 months off and would like to get the Bayer Serum Her2 test done prior to beginning it. I am not too far from Syracuse, Ogdensburg or Rochester, NY. Is it possible to call a hospital in one of these centres and go get this test done? Or perhaps there is another way to get it done? Any ideas anyone? I am scheduled to begin Herceptin August 30th so my time is tight. This test is not available in Canada at this time.

Thanks,

Cathy

[CPA]

You will probably have to visit an oncologist or ob/gyn to have an order placed for the test. The doc will refer you to the correct laboratory or possibly draw the blood in office and send it to a central lab. As a rule, you cannot have lab work performed in the US without an order from a doctor.

Sorry, but I am not too familiar with the Rochester area to give specific help.

[Cathya]

CPA;

Thank you. I wondered about that thinking perhaps a private clinic was approachable.

Cathy

[heblaj01]

Cathy,
As far as I know this test is not available in Canada. I don't think you have necessarily to go to a US lab. A hospital or private clinic in Canada should be able to ship the blood sample properly refrigerated to one of the following Reference labs offering the test in the US:

Quest Diagnostics
Telephone: 1-800-222-0027
Test number: 15113X

Lab Corp
Telephone: 1-800-676-8033
Test number: 480136

Specialty Labs
Telephone: 1-800-421-7110
Test number S51008

ARUP(drawn in hospital labs and clinics)
Telephone: 1-800-522-2787
Test number: 0098615

The above info dates from June 2006. For more updated details you may contact:
Shelley Combs
Shelley.Combs@dako.com

[Cathya]

Hi;

Thanks so much for the contact information. Yes, you are correct, the test is not available in Canada. I thought that I would have to go to a US clinic in order to put the blood draw into the correct diluent for shipping. I understand the one used contains BSA and 0.09% sodium azide. I imagine the blood could be drawn here at my hospital but where would they get the instructions for the draw, know where to ship it and the vial with the correct diluent to freeze it in? I don't know that %'s for the BSA....would that matter I wonder? Do you see the problem? I will call Dako tomorrow though....thanks so much.

Cathy

[Cathya]

Kate;

Thank you so much for the information. I called Quest and am getting the test done in Watertown which is only 2 hours away. My onc gave me the order which they will accept and in about a week they will fax him the results. The cost of the test is $174. US which is fine with me. I am so curious to know the results. I start back on weekly herceptin a week from Thursday so will now have a "pre-herceptin (after 4 months off) post chemo, radiation, on arimidex" baseline to see how everything is working. I didn't realize it was so easy to arrange these things and am grateful for your advice. I wonder what sort of numbers others are getting from the test?

Best regards,

Cathy

[rinaina]

What is the test for? I hear of so many tests that members have had done and not sure if they performed them for me. I thought I was so well read and did so much research and I keep learning from this site. I never had the onco dx gene test either and not sure in my case i needed it or others but would love input as to what tests i should have or should have had being stage 1 node negative er/pr negative but her2+.

[Cathya]

Rinaina;

This test has been approved for MBC by the FDA so your onc might not have discussed it but I think it is a great test for all stages. Here is a very good report posted by Chrisy that explains it all and where to get it at the end.

Attached Filesimages/attach/pdf.gifFor Providers Her2 Serum test.pdf (attachment.php?attachmentid=54) (135.5 KB, 9 views)
Cathy

[rinaina]

Thank you Cathya but I wasn't able to access what you sent.

[Cathya]

Rinaina;

I hope this works..... http://www.her2support.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=54

so sorry....obviously not too good on attachments...

Cathy

[rinaina]

Thanks Cathya, it did work.

[Cathya]

I just went to Watertown, NY and had my first Serum Her2 test done at Quest Diagnostic's. I am so happy and they will mail me a copy of the results but I am not expecting to get them for a couple of weeks. When I do I am going to post a separate question about the numbers people have been getting and what treatment action is taken based on them. For instance, if my number comes back less than 15 should I continue on with herceptin? I was so surprised at how easy it all was to get this test done.....just got my onc to sign the requisition, took it in and that's it. Great stuff......finally something straightforward....lol.

Cathy