Q: How does genomic testing work?

Collection: A sample of your tumor — and sometimes blood or saliva — is sent to a special lab. Testing: Experts analyze the DNA of your tumor to find genetic changes. Review: Your doctor may share the results with OhioHealth’s Molecular Tumor Board, a team of specialists in cancer and genetics. Recommendations: The team reviews your results and suggests treatment options. Treatment: Your doctor uses these recommendations to create your personalized care plan, which may include targeted therapy, immunotherapy or clinical trials.

Question 1

What is precision medicine?

Accepted Answer

Precision medicine is a personalized approach to care that uses information about your genes and tumor to help your doctor choose treatments that are most likely to work for you.

Question 2

What are the benefits of precision medicine?

Accepted Answer

Precision medicine helps your care team find treatments that are safer, more effective and tailored to your unique cancer.

Question 3

What is genomic testing?

Accepted Answer

Genomic testing looks at the genes in your cancer to better understand how it behaves. This information helps your care team choose treatments that are more closely matched to your specific cancer.

Question 4

Is genomic testing right for me?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor will consider your health history, cancer type and stage, and other traits to decide if genomic testing is a good fit. Genomic testing is usually recommended for people with advanced, recurrent or rare cancers.

Question 5

How does genomic testing work?

Accepted Answer

Collection: A sample of your tumor — and sometimes blood or saliva — is sent to a special lab.
Testing: Experts analyze the DNA of your tumor to find genetic changes.
Review: Your doctor may share the results with OhioHealth’s Molecular Tumor Board, a team of specialists in cancer and genetics.
Recommendations: The team reviews your results and suggests treatment options.
Treatment: Your doctor uses these recommendations to create your personalized care plan, which may include targeted therapy, immunotherapy or clinical trials.

Question 6

How is genomic testing for cancer different from genetic testing for inherited conditions?

Accepted Answer

Genomic testing looks for genetic changes in tumor cells that develop over your lifetime. Genetic testing checks for inherited mutations in normal cells, which can show your risk for cancer or other conditions — even if you don’t have cancer.

Question 7

Will genomic testing change my treatment plan?

Accepted Answer

Genomic testing can reveal important details about your tumor, helping your doctor choose the safest and most effective treatments for you.

Question 8

Does my insurance cover genomic testing costs?

Accepted Answer

Coverage for genomic testing depends on your insurance plan and the type of test. Contact your insurance provider to learn about your benefits.

Question 9

Are there risks to genomic testing?

Accepted Answer

Genomic testing is generally safe, but results may not always lead to new treatment options. Your doctor will discuss what the results mean for you.

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