Q: What is the BT Test?
A: The BT Test measures multiple, blood-based proteins known to have an
association with your immune system’s response to breast cancer.
Q: Isn’t the BT Test just another genetic test?
A: No it is not. Unlike genetic testing that evaluates for potential risk of
being diagnosed with breast cancer sometime in the future, the BT Test looks for
the real-time biochemical indications of the actual presence of breast cancer.
Q: Don’t you have to have a genetic risk or family history to get breast cancer?
A: No. In fact approximately 87% of all breast cancers diagnosed each year have absolutely no genetic risk or family history association.
Q: Why should I be concerned about breast cancer?
A: The facts surrounding breast cancer are as follows:
- 1-in- 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
- Approximately 87% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history or elevated genetic risk to developing breast cancer.
- Approximately 1-in-4 women diagnosed with breast cancer is under 49 years of age.
- Breast cancer found in women under 49is usually more aggressive.
- An estimated 20-25% of all breast cancers are missed by screening mammography, and that number is higher in premenopausal women and those women with denser breast tissue and/or previous surgical procedures.
- Each year in the U.S. alone an estimated 200,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and over 41,000 women died.
Yet, the #1 statistic about breast cancer is -- It is 97% survivable with early detection
Q: Why should I get the BT Test?
A: Breast cancer has a 97% survivability rate with early detection. Screening mammograms are indeed a very important part of the process to detect breast cancer as early as possible. In fact, Provista is a strong proponent of mammography. However, mammograms also have well known, documented limitations simply due restriction placed upon it by both the equipment being employed and very often the complexity and variability of the breast tissue involved.
The BT Test analyzes your blood for proteins that have a demonstrated association with underlying pathology of breast cancer. Where mammography relies on a visual technique to help find breast cancer, the BT Test relies on changes in the blood chemistry associated with cancer growth to look for early indications of breast cancer formation and presence.
So, when it comes to helping find breast cancer earlier, the BT Test is a new “tool-in-the-toolbox” in that effort.
Q: How accurate is the BT Test?
A: The BT Test has clinically demonstrated a 97% accuracy in women under 50 years of age, and 86% accuracy in women over 50 years of age.
Q: So if the BT Test is that good, why not just screen using the BT Test?
A: No screening test is perfect – absolutely none; not thermography, mammography, ultrasound, breast MRI or the BT Test. Yet when used in combination with and complementary to existing imaging procedures, the BT Test can aid in providing a more complete and comprehensive picture of your breast health status in the effort to help detect breast cancer earlier.
Q: When should I get the BT Test?
A: It is recommended that you get the BT Test as part of your regular annual wellness check and prior to any mammogram so that the results are available for review by your doctor(s) prior to that procedure. This is especially true for those women where mammography may have some difficulties in visually assessing the breast due to such things as scar tissue from previous surgical procedure(s) or biopsy(ies), benign breast and fibroglandular conditions, breast implants or augmentation, and/or denser breast tissue.
The BT Test can also be used when there is an inconclusive mammography result or when more frequent monitoring is called for as part of a doctor-directed care strategy for women in high risk categories, e.g. if you have a positive genetic disposition, a family history, are on hormonal therapy or where increased exposure to radiation is an issue.
Q: How do I get the BT Test?
A: The BT Test requires a doctor’s prescription and it is available in 46 states with CT, FL, NV and NY state laboratory certifications and approvals expected to be in place by year end 2011. To order the test you can:
- Go to Provista's website and under the "Breast Cancer" click on "Ordering The BT Test" bullet and following the highlighted links to download a BT Test Prescription and Draw Authorization Form to take to your doctor, or
- Call us at 602-224-5500 or toll-free at 888-649-6639 for more details
Q: Are there any restrictions or eligibility considerations?
A: The clinical study design and intended utility of the BT Test is to work in concert with and complementary to initial breast tissue screening techniques being used to help detect breast cancer. As such, the following restriction and limitations apply:
- Designed for women 35-75 years of age, those women younger than 35, older than
- 75 years of age, and/or or are less than 10 years post-cancer treatment desiring the test need to talk to their doctors about the value of the BT Test for their own healthcare needs, and it would be at the personal physician’s discretion as to whether or not to order the BT Test.
- Women who are pregnant, or are diagnosed with an autoimmune or inflammatory disease(s) not under control through medication at the time of the blood draw and/or in active flare are ineligible.
Q: What Else Should I Know About Provista & the BT Test?
A: The BT Test is only offered by Provista Diagnostics. Provista Diagnostics is a 14,000 ft2 CLIA Reference Laboratory, ID No. 03D1063366 located in Central Phoenix. The BT Test is laboratory developed test
performed by Provista Diagnostics, and its intended clinical use is as an additional screening tool to aid practitioners in the early detection of breast cancer.
The BT Test adds an important new “tool in the practitioner’s toolbox” when it comes to the fight to detect breast cancer early..
Q: Is the BT Test Covered by Insurance?
A: Provista accepts most private insurance. The test is not covered by Medicare or typically State run Medicaid program; depending on the state, the latter mightbe eligible for reimbursement with pre-authorization only. The following is a partial list of private insurance providers accepted by Provista: Aetna, Banner Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Healthnet, Humana, Pacific Care, United Healthcare.
Additionally, Provista files all reimbursement claims on the patient’s behalf. If you do not see your provider on the list, call Provista directly for additional insurance coverage information.
For individuals without insurance coverage or who prefer to pay cash, the cost of the BT Test is only $249.00. If financial assistance is required, affordable payment plans are available. Call Provista at 602.224.5500 and inquire.