Mary, we're not doctors here, just breast cancer survivors; so I couldn't advise you as well as your own doctor on what further tests to have. So far as I know, there's no foolproof test to detect mets that haven't yet been identified as a result of symptoms. Some doctors use tumor marker tests to assess the possible presence of cancer; others don't believe they're accurate or useful enough to bother with.

As for the new Matrix test, researchers call it "promising;" it correctly predicted recurrence in 55% of the women in the initial study. If 55% accuracy is good enough for you, then I'd say see if you can get it (and if it's affordable; insurance probably won't pay for it).

My opinion: chemo, especially the chemo your oncologist suggests, can be a bear. And it can have lifelong, lasting side effects. If you do get the Matrix test and it shows mets, I believe they have to then go in and identify their location. If they can't successfully do that - you might want to consider not doing chemo.

At the end of the day, it's all a roll of the dice; you need to assess your own personality. Would you second-guess yourself and feel terminally guilty if you had a recurrence, having chosen to skip chemo? Or would you know you'd made your best decision at the time, given the information you had? Tough decision, I know. Good luck - PJH