Who Should Consider Genomic Testing for Cancer?

Cancer care has taken the next step thanks to the study of genomics. Genomics allows oncologists to look at the unique genetic makeup of a patient’s tumor site and predict its progression based on the genetic factors at play.

By targeting treatment to those specific genes, providers can offer truly personalized care. Patients with cancer can rely on a more precise treatment plan with a higher chance of clinical success.

If you have cancer, genomics might be the right fit for your care plan — it all depends where you are in your diagnosis. Here’s how to make that call.

Recently Diagnosed or Early-Stage Cancers

If you’ve received a diagnosis, it’s never too early to talk to your oncologist about genomic testing. While genomics is generally suggested for late-stage cancers, in recent years genomics has been a critical tool for patients with early-stage cancers as well.

Some great questions to ask your provider about genomic testing are:

• Is genomic testing appropriate for my diagnosis?
• If so, which specific tests should I consider?
• What are the benefits of those specific tests?
• What are the risks?
• Is there financial support available for those tests?

All of these questions will help you and your provider plan the next steps in your treatment plan. If you both agree to genomic testing, fortunately it’s non-invasive. Our lab will simply test the genetic makeup of the tissue collected during your biopsy or surgical procedure. In some cases your provider might recommend a liquid biopsy, but as simple as getting blood drawn.

The results of a genomic test may allow your oncology team to recommend targeted therapies for the specific genetic factors driving your cancer. That information truly puts you in the driver’s seat for your care. You can determine how aggressive or conservative you’d like to be in your treatment plan, so you’re entirely comfortable with the level of care you’re receiving.

Long-term or Late-stage Cancers

Genomics can also prove helpful if you’ve been fighting cancer over a long period of time. Sometimes treatment can last for months or years, and at times cancer can stop responding to therapies that previously worked. That’s a great time for genomic testing.

A genomic test has the potential to open up new avenues for treatment for certain patients. The genetic factors at play in the tumor site may have progressed or simply changed over time. Genomics can pinpoint those mutations and determine a drug or therapy that may take the course of your care in a new direction.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) may also be an option. NGS is a type of genomic test that’s generally used for cancers that are recurring, metastatic or in late stages. These tests look at hundreds of different genetic mutations to predict a cancer’s natural progression, its reaction to certain treatments and generally help uncover targeted treatment plans that may yield success.

Again, genomic testing is non-invasive. Oftentimes the test can be done on a tissue sample previously collected from a biopsy or surgery. In cases where the cells in that sample have been exhausted, your provider might suggest a liquid biopsy. They’ll simply draw blood so you don’t have to face another invasive procedure.

Whether you recently received a cancer diagnosis or have been facing cancer for some time now, it’s always a good time to ask your provider about genomic testing. Learn more about how genomics has taken cancer care to the next level, and start the conversation with your provider today.