
In order to understand the importance of genetic testing for targeted cancer therapy, it is helpful to understand a little bit about how genes are involved in cancer development and proliferation.
If less than 10% of cancers are caused by inherited genetic mutations, then the vast majority of cancers are a result of gene mutations that happen sometime during a person’s life. There are two main ways a gene mutation might occur during a person’s lifetime:
And this is where genetic tests for targeted cancer therapy come in.
Knowing exactly what mutations are present allows your treatment team to predict which cancer treatments will be most beneficial – and, likewise, which treatments your body won’t respond to.
What is the key to creating an optimal treatment plan for your unique form of cancer? Know all the mutations that are driving your cancer (or supporting it to proliferate). In addition, ensure that the treatment you are taking to target one specific genetic mutation doesn’t lead to increased growth in another genetic mutation. It cannot be said enough: your treatment plan must take into consideration all of your gene mutations – and, significantly, their interactions with one another – in order for it to provide you with the greatest chance of success.
And this brings us back to the importance of genetic testing. In order to detect these different mutations in your cancer tissue, medical science has developed a variety of genetic tests. These tests will provide your doctor with all the genetic information they need to be able to know what specific targeted therapies will and won’t work for your form of cancer.
If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis of cancer and wants to ensure their treatment plan is optimal, please email or call us today. Our cancer specialists will get back to you within 24 hours to answer all your questions – and/or help you access the genetic tests you need.
Register for a Precision Second Opinion, to discuss your specific case.
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