Biomarker testing is the umbrella term we use to describe molecular testing or genomic testing. It is a way for your doctors to gather as much information as possible about your unique type of cancer.
A biomarker is a substance in your body that can be measured and can give information about your health. In cancer, biomarkers are abnormal changes in a cell that cause cancer to survive and grow.
Biomarker testing is not genetic testing. Biomarker testing looks at your cancer’s cells while genetic testing looks for inherited
changes that are found in all cells (cancer and non-cancer cells).
The results of biomarker testing will help guide your health care provider to choose appropriate treatment options for you.
Your health care provider will send a tumor sample that has already been removed and stored or schedule a biopsy for fresh tumor tissue. Blood samples may also be collected. The samples will be sent to a lab that will look for biomarkers in these samples. Your health care provider will receive a report on the findings that they will discuss with you.
Ask your health care provider for a copy of your biomarker testing results report or contact the laboratory that ran your biomarker
test. It could be uploaded to your health portal automatically. It’s your right to request a copy of your report, which can be helpful for
seeking a second opinion or for future treatment decisions.
deally, you should wait for your biomarker test results before deciding on treatment. It can take up to 4 weeks or longer to get your
results. Your health care provider needs the complete picture of your biomarkers to make the best treatment plan. However, in certain clinical situations, starting a treatment immediately may be necessary.
Once you have your biomarker test results, it’s time to discuss your care plan options with your healthcare provider. This could include an FDA-approved therapy, a clinical trial, or other options.
Some questions to ask your health care provider about biomarker testing:
Can I get a copy of my test results?
How will this testing change my treatment?
Would it help us to get a second opinion about my results?
Will insurance pay for my biomarker testing and treatment? If not, is there someone available to help me figure out if there is help to cover the costs?
You can talk with your health care provider about seeking a second opinion to have the results of your biomarker testing reviewed.
In addition to speaking to your health care providers, there are additional resources to help you learn more about biomarker testing.
National Cancer Institute biomarker testing for cancer treatment
Understanding Cancer Biomarker Testing (Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative)
Access to Biomarker Testing (American Cancer Society)
Cancer biomarker testing: a simplified guide (Thermo Fisher)
