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DianneS · 10-05-2009, 01:09 PM

Hi,

I called the company that does the testing - Genelex. They are sending me a specimen kit; basically a cheek swab that I do at home then send it back to them for analysis. They will send a report to me and my doctor as well. The cost is relatively cheap - $295 and it takes about 2 weeks. I asked for a STAT test so it's $100 more. But I am seeing my doctor soon and need to know if I'm a candidate for Tamoxifen or not. I am weakly ER positive.

At any rate this company Genelex sounds very interesting. The DNA that they are testing for me will tell me about other drug interactions as well. You get a 30-90 day trial subscription to their website which lists all of the drugs and how they interact with your DNA - after that period you can either pay $24 a year for the service or drop it. Not only drugs are to be listed on the software but anything you take - supplements, herbal, whatever. They can very much interact with drugs.

I live in Canada and the cost of the test is not reimbursed, but I can't complain as everything else to do with medical here is free....but I think some insurance companies in the States will pay for it. The fellow I spoke to said that the slowness in getting this test available to everyone is largely controlled by the huge pharmaceutical companies in the States (no brainer there!) who don't want people to know how their drugs interact. He said drug interactions are the 4th leading cause of death (I think it's 4th) so I think this information is good to know.

The number for Genelex is 1-800-523-6487. I called the Mayo Clinic but they wanted me to have 'an account' before they would continue! I thought they were not for profit....anyway if anyone has info about Genelex or wants more info I'd be happy to share what I know.

Dianne

10-05-2009, 01:09 PM	#6
DianneS Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 327	Re: Tamoxifen and CYP2D6 metabolizer Hi, I called the company that does the testing - Genelex. They are sending me a specimen kit; basically a cheek swab that I do at home then send it back to them for analysis. They will send a report to me and my doctor as well. The cost is relatively cheap - $295 and it takes about 2 weeks. I asked for a STAT test so it's $100 more. But I am seeing my doctor soon and need to know if I'm a candidate for Tamoxifen or not. I am weakly ER positive. At any rate this company Genelex sounds very interesting. The DNA that they are testing for me will tell me about other drug interactions as well. You get a 30-90 day trial subscription to their website which lists all of the drugs and how they interact with your DNA - after that period you can either pay $24 a year for the service or drop it. Not only drugs are to be listed on the software but anything you take - supplements, herbal, whatever. They can very much interact with drugs. I live in Canada and the cost of the test is not reimbursed, but I can't complain as everything else to do with medical here is free....but I think some insurance companies in the States will pay for it. The fellow I spoke to said that the slowness in getting this test available to everyone is largely controlled by the huge pharmaceutical companies in the States (no brainer there!) who don't want people to know how their drugs interact. He said drug interactions are the 4th leading cause of death (I think it's 4th) so I think this information is good to know. The number for Genelex is 1-800-523-6487. I called the Mayo Clinic but they wanted me to have 'an account' before they would continue! I thought they were not for profit....anyway if anyone has info about Genelex or wants more info I'd be happy to share what I know. Dianne __________________ Three years and 5 months NED Dx: Aug 2008 right breast IDC with 50% of tumor DCIS, Stage II or IIA, tumor size: 2.1 cm Grade 3 8/9 Richardson/Bloom test ER+ weakly positive Alred Score: 4 (suggesting I would strongly benefit from hormone therapy) PR-, HER2 positive +++ No vascular invasion No lymph nodes involved Surgery: Sept. 9, 2008 -Modified radical mastectomy, right breast. I chose to have a simple mastectomy on the left. Began Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin November, 2008. Finished T/C March 2009. Finished #16 Herceptin Sept. 09. AI's and Tamoxifen made me sick. Began natural Tamoxifen which is Quercetin, I3C and a combo of other supplements. I am also a DES Daughter. There is now a link between DES exposure in utero and breast cancer!