New Research Shows Genomic Testing Changes Chemotherapy Treatment Decisions in British Columbia Breast Cancer Patients by 30 Per cent

Genomic Health’s Oncotype DX test helps early-stage breast cancer patients personalize their treatments by predicting chemotherapy benefit and risk of recurrence

Toronto, Canada – July 9, 2012 – Genomic Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GHDX) today has released the results of the first Oncotype DX breast cancer test treatment decision-impact study from Canada, recently presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2012 Annual Meeting. Conducted at the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Centre and Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior, this study showed that after receiving the Oncotype DX Recurrence Score results, physicians changed their chemotherapy recommendation in 30 per cent of invasive, estrogen-receptor positive early-stage breast cancer patients with no lymph node involvement.

“For physicians, using a clinically validated multi-gene analysis like the Oncotype DX test provides us with information that cannot be acquired by traditional clinical and pathologic markers in many cases of a breast cancer type known as ER-positive, node-negative,” said principle investigator Stephen Chia, M.D., oncologist and clinical investigator with the BC Cancer Agency. “Having knowledge about a patient’s individual tumour biology gives us greater confidence in recommending a treatment plan better suited for that patient.”

About the study

One hundred and fifty invasive, estrogen-receptor positive, node-negative early-stage breast cancer patients and their physicians were surveyed prior to using the Oncotype DX test regarding their treatment preferences and their level of confidence about the treatment. After patients and physicians received the Oncotype DX Recurrence Score results, the following was found:

• The knowledge of the Recurrence Score result changed physicians’ treatment recommendation for 30 per cent of invasive early-stage breast cancer patients;
• This change includes 20 per cent of patients who were advised to omit chemotherapy and use only hormonal therapy;
• Importantly, an additional 10 per cent of patients were advised to add chemotherapy as they would benefit from the treatment based on the biology of their individual tumour.

“The results of our decision-impact study from Canada add to the growing body of evidence from over 15 prior Oncotype DX studies around the world, reconfirming the value the Oncotype DX breast cancer test brings to optimizing patient care,” said Calvin Chao, M.D., senior director of medical affairs, Genomic Health. “The test has been consistently shown to change treatment recommendations in about a third of patients across decision-impact studies conducted in different countries and health care systems. As a result, the test can help ensure that those early-stage breast cancer patients who will likely benefit from chemotherapy receive it, while others are spared unnecessary treatment and associated toxicities.”

The Oncotype DX test looks at the activity of a specific group of genes which can influence how a cancer is likely to grow and respond to treatment. Based on the multi-gene analysis of the tumour sample, the test calculates a Recurrence Score, a number between 0 and 100 that corresponds to a specific likelihood of breast cancer recurrence within 10 years of initial diagnosis and the likelihood of chemotherapy benefit.

Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer diagnosed among women in British Columbia; an estimated 3,000 will be diagnosed this year alone. “It is a difficult decision as to whether or not to undergo chemotherapy,” said Jeffrey Beach, executive director of Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada, a national support organization for breast cancer patients and their families. “Access to a test like this empowers breast cancer patients and their families with knowledge to help them make the treatment decision that is right for them.”

Currently, the Oncotype DX test is reimbursed publicly for qualified patients in Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, with a number of provinces considering public funding for qualified breast cancer patients.

Media contacts:

Victoria Steiner
Genomic Health
T: 415.370.5804
media@genomichealth.com

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
T: 416.473.9565
fox@thornleyfallis.ca

BC Cancer Agency, Provincial Health Services Authority
Vancouver, British Columbia
Media pager: (604) 871-5699

About Genomic Health

Genomic Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: GHDX) is a global health company that provides actionable genomic information to personalize genomic health decisions. The company’s lead product, the Oncotype DX® breast cancer test, has been shown to predict the likelihood of chemotherapy benefit as well as recurrence in invasive breast cancer and has been shown to predict the likelihood of recurrence in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In addition to this widely adopted test, Genomic Health provides the Oncotype DX colon cancer test, the first multi-gene expression test developed for the assessment of risk of recurrence in patients with stage II disease. As of March 31, 2012, more than 10,000 physicians in over 65 countries had ordered more than 275,000 Oncotype DX tests. Genomic Health has a robust pipeline focused on developing tests to optimize the treatment of prostate and renal cell cancers, as well as additional treatment decisions in breast and colon cancers. The company is based in Redwood City, California, with European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, please visit, www.GenomicHealth.com. To learn more about Oncotype DX tests, visit: www.OncotypeDX.com and www.mybreastcancertreatment.org.

About the BC Cancer Agency

The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbiaby working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. For more information, visit www.bccancer.ca.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the ability of the test to optimize cancer treatment; the ability of the recurrence score to impact treatment decisions in a clinical setting; the ability of the company to establish further access for its breast cancer tests for patients in Canada or elsewhere; the applicability of study results to clinical practice; the timing and results of future studies; the focus of the company's product pipeline, the ability of the company to develop additional tests in the future, and the ability of any potential tests the company may develop to optimize cancer treatment. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the applicability of clinical study results to actual outcomes; the risks and uncertainties associated with possible additional regulation of our tests both in the United States and abroad; the risks associated with the commercialization of current and future products; the risks associated with competition; the risks and potential delays associated with such studies; unanticipated costs or delays in research and development efforts; our ability to obtain capital when needed and the other risks set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risks set forth in the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Genomic Health disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

NOTE: The Genomic Health logo, Oncotype, Oncotype DX, Recurrence Score, and DCIS Score are trademarks or registered trademarks of Genomic Health, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners. American Society of Clinical Oncology and ASCO are registered trademarks of ASCO. ASCO does not endorse any product or therapy.