I call my cancer Bobette.
I think she looks like a
small monster with
slimy skin. She’s not
cute and fluffy, she’s
kinda scary and mean.
– Elysa, 7
Genomic cancer testing can paint a more
precise picture of your cancer.
Genomic cancer testing is used to identify unique DNA alterations, or changes, within cancer cells that determine
how your tumor behaves and why it grows.
That knowledge may help your doctor recommend treatments that have been approved or are in clinical trials
based on the specific alteration identified.
of patients who undergo genomic cancer testing find actionable alterations, which means that they could be matched to either an approved therapy or a drug in a clinical trial.
cancer therapies are approved by
the U.S. FDA that are associated
with these alterations.
Note that genomic cancer testing is different from genetic testing. Genomic cancer testing helps identify DNA alterations
that may be driving the growth of your tumor, whereas genetic testing looks at the unique attributes of a person’s own
genetic profile.
Why should I ask my doctor about genomic cancer testing?
We are used to hearing about cancer treatments in relation to a specific part of the body such as breast, lung or prostate in a one-size-fits-all approach. Genomic cancer testing is important to discuss with your healthcare team because it has the potential to:
Personalize cancer care by helping you better understand your diagnosis and begin appropriate therapies earlier.
Inform doctors who can recommend appropriate treatments by understanding the specific drivers of your cancer.
Reduce the number of treatments patients may try by identifying more targeted treatments earlier.
Advance the use of precision medicine by identifying your cancer’s underlying genomic make-up, in addition to where the tumor is located.
What happens during a genomic cancer test?
Your doctor and testing lab teams work together to choose a testing method that will be most effective in helping to understand your tumor.
Tumor Biopsy A doctor collects a (or uses a
previously collected) small tissue,
blood or bone marrow sample.
Sequencing Cancer cells are identified. DNA is
extracted, then scanned for
abnormalities in a lab process called
sequencing. The abnormalities
determine how your tumor behaves.
Analysis The abnormalities are compared
against known alterations (if any)
that are related to currently
approved therapies and those being
evaluated in clinical studies.
Discussion The results may help your doctor
suggest treatments that are
specific to your tumor's genomic
make-up.
How do you picture your cancer?
See how a few real cancer patients have described their cancer.
A small white puffer fish in
a pond. They don't have a
face, but instead float
around and try to duplicate.
I don't see them as mean
looking devil emoji's, more
like silly 'fluff balls' getting
fatter and pro-creating.
– Oscar, 36
I imagine my cancer as an
explosion of sharp, mutated
cells, growing out of
control.
It’s dark in the middle but
becomes colorful as I learn
more about it.
– Bryce, 49
I imagine my cancer as
a healthy, bright green plant,
with one of its limbs fading
in color as my cancer
attempts to shut it down,
one limb at a time.
– Brian, 53
It has always been sneaky,
clever, relentless and
the worst enemy I have
ever encountered. It hates
me and the feeling
is mutual.
– Howard, 67
I call my cancer Bobette.
I think she looks like a
small monster with
slimy skin. She’s not
cute and fluffy, she’s
kinda scary and mean.
– Elysa, 7
A small white puffer fish in
a pond. They don't have a
face, but instead float
around and try to duplicate.
I don't see them as mean
looking devil emoji's, more
like silly 'fluff balls' getting
fatter and pro-creating.
– Oscar, 36
I imagine my cancer as an
explosion of sharp, mutated
cells, growing out of
control.
It’s dark in the middle but
becomes colorful as I learn
more about it.
– Bryce, 49
I imagine my cancer as
a healthy, bright green plant,
with one of its limbs fading
in color as my cancer
attempts to shut it down,
one limb at a time.
– Brian, 53
It has always been sneaky,
clever, relentless and
the worst enemy I have
ever encountered. It hates
me and the feeling
is mutual.
– Howard, 67
How does genomic cancer testing change
my unique treatment journey?
The genomic profile of each person's tumor is unique. Yet traditional cancer medicines have not been customized based on these differences.
What are the common types of tests
your doctor may request?
NGS
Next-generation
sequencing
IHC
Immunohistochemistry
FISH
Fluorescence in situ
hybridization
RT-PCR
Reverse transcription
polymerase chain reaction
What can these tests find?
Genomic cancer tests can identify different DNA alterations, or changes, specific to your individual tumor, regardless of its location in the body. The results of the test can lead to options that are tailored specifically for each individual's cancer.
Types of genomic alterations can include KRAS, HER2, BRAF, EGFR, ALK, ROS1, NTRK gene fusions, and many more.