All cancers begin with pathology testing, which forms the foundation of diagnosis and treatment planning. Pathology helps determine key features of the cancer, including:
Pathology testing answers the essential question:
“What is this cancer?”
Precision medicine testing builds on this foundation by helping answer the next important question:
“What is driving this cancer, and how can treatment be tailored accordingly?”
Rather than relying solely on where a cancer began or how it appears under the microscope, precision medicine incorporates information from a tumor’s molecular profile to help guide treatment decisions.
Just as every person has a unique fingerprint, cancer cells can carry their own distinct molecular “signatures.” These signatures — called molecular biomarkers — provide important insight into how a cancer behaves. This approach recognizes that cancers with similar appearances can behave very differently based on their underlying biology.
Precision medicine supports a more personalized treatment plan based on the unique molecular profile of a tumor — helping identify targeted therapies, immunotherapy options, and potential clinical trials that may be appropriate for a patient’s specific cancer.
Tumor biomarker testing and precision medicine approaches are now recognized as standard of care at many National Cancer Institute (NCI)–designated cancer centers, where they help guide treatment decisions based on the unique biology of each tumor. Importantly, the same testing can also be performed for patients receiving care in community or rural oncology settings, often through specialized diagnostic laboratories.
Discussing tumor biomarker testing with your healthcare team can help determine whether these tests are appropriate for your specific diagnosis and help ensure that all available treatment options are thoughtfully considered.
It is also important to note that precision medicine testing does not replace traditional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Instead, it complements these approaches by helping clinicians make more informed decisions and provide opportunities for individualized treatment options that are available.
Just as every individual has a unique fingerprint, cancer cells can possess their own distinct ‘fingerprints or ‘signatures’. Molecular testing identifies these unique ‘molecular signatures’ specific to your cancer.
A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Information may arrive quickly, decisions may feel urgent, and it may not always be clear where to begin. While your oncology team brings deep medical expertise and experience, you remain an important member of your care team.
Taking an active role in your care does not mean becoming a medical expert. It simply means having access to the information you need to feel confident that the best possible options are being considered to treat your cancer.
Patient advocacy begins with knowledge. Learning about your diagnosis, recommended testing, and potential treatment options can help you ask informed questions and better understand how care decisions are made.
Cancer care is advancing rapidly. New testing technologies and targeted therapies continue to expand treatment possibilities. Even within the medical community, it can be challenging to stay current with every emerging development. Patients who ask questions and engage in their care can help ensure that important testing and treatment options are thoughtfully considered.
Tumor biomarker testing and precision medicine approaches are standard of care at major cancer centers. Discussing these testing options with your healthcare team may help determine whether they are appropriate for your specific diagnosis.
Open communication early in the process — ideally before biopsies or additional procedures are performed — can also help ensure that tissue samples are handled and preserved in ways that allow for molecular testing when needed.
Understanding your diagnosis, asking questions, and participating actively in your care can make a meaningful difference. No one is more invested in your survivorship, quality of life, and long-term health than you.
We welcome you to read the MADP Patient Advocacy Letter: Having an Active Role in Your Cancer Care [HERE], designed to help patients better understand their role in the decision-making process and support informed conversations with their healthcare team.
“When patients understand why certain tests are recommended and how results may inform treatment planning, they are better equipped to participate meaningfully in important discussions about their care.”
~ Allison and Aubrey
Cancer Survivor and Advocate
A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. MADP Circle of Hope® is here to support you every step of the way — providing trusted, evidence-based resources to help you navigate precision medicine and make informed decisions about your care.
Our support includes:
Education on tumor biomarker testing and precision oncology.
Guidance on important questions to ask your healthcare team.
Resources on treatment options and laboratory testing.
Navigation tools to help you better understand your cancer journey.
We are committed to ensuring that patients and families have access to the knowledge, resources, and support needed to advocate for the most informed and personalized care possible. We invite you to read our MADP Circle of Hope To Cancer Patients _ [HERE] created to provide insight and guidance as you navigate your cancer journey.
If you are interested in receiving a copy of our MADP Circle of Hope® Navigation Support Guide for Cancer Patients, please reach out to us directly at info@microbiomeDP.org. A member of our support team will be happy to assist you.
Precision medicine is reshaping cancer care — creating new opportunities for earlier detection, more targeted treatments, and improved outcomes. By understanding each tumor’s unique biology and supporting patients with trusted educational resources, we move closer to a future where cancer care is more precise, more comprehensive, and more effective.
Hope Through Knowledge.
Precision Care That Saves Lives.
When facing a cancer diagnosis, individuals and families are often asked to absorb complex medical information and make important decisions in a very short period of time.
At MADP, we recognize the seriousness of this moment — and the emotional, physical, and clinical weight it carries. No one should have to navigate this journey alone.
~ MADP Alliance for Disease Prevention
When battling cancer, every minute matters.
MADP Circle of Hope provides supportive resources to help patients navigate the complex clinical world of cancer.
MADP provides a hopeful approach to understanding cancer, accessing comprehensive care, tumor biomarker testing, and targeted treatments.
MADP Circle of Hope supports individuals recently diagnosed, undergoing treatment, and cancer survivors.
Together Fighting Cancer – Every Step of the Way.
MADP Precision Public Health
Expanding Access to Precision Medicine for All Cancer Patients
Together, Closing the Gap in Cancer Care
