Oct 30, 2023 at 10:04 AM Update: 13 minutes ago
Two tests that can predict in specific cases whether chemotherapy is needed after breast cancer will now be reimbursed by basic insurance. It is expected that this will allow almost five hundred patients each year to safely refrain from additional chemotherapy.
It applies to patients over the age of fifty with early breast cancer who have few or no metastases. It is also important that the tumor has specific characteristics.
In this target group, the tests can accurately predict the risk of the cancer returning. The Dutch Healthcare Institute has come to this conclusion. The most important task of this government organization is to put together the basic health insurance package.
According to chairman Sjaak Wijma, the tests can prevent “overtreatment” of cancer patients. First of all, this is better for the patients: “No more unpleasant side effects and therefore better quality of life. These women can recover faster and get their lives back on.”
‘It’s a real win-win situation’
But according to Wijma it also has benefits for society. “It is a real win-win situation. In addition to better quality of life, scarce healthcare personnel can be deployed better.”
In addition, costs can be saved. The tests cost a maximum of 5,000 euros each, while chemotherapy often costs more than 15,000 euros per patient, according to the Dutch Healthcare Institute. If chemo is not necessary, this will save “unnecessary healthcare costs”.
‘Sufficient evidence that women can safely refrain from chemo’
The MammaPrint and Oncotype DX tests are reimbursed retroactively from the basic package.
Oncotype DX has been reimbursed for certain patients since 2021. But until now this was only possible for breast cancer without metastases. Now, according to the Dutch Healthcare Institute, it appears that the test can also be used safely for up to three metastases in the axillary gland.
In 2018, the institute decided not to reimburse MammaPrint. But due to new insights, this test has now been added to the basic package. “Enough research has now been done into the long term and there is also sufficient evidence for the MammaPrint that women can safely refrain from additional chemotherapy.”
Image: ANP
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2023-10-30 09:04:43
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