Biomarker testing can play an important role in your cancer treatment plan. It helps doctors create a plan based on your test results, so you can receive treatments that may be more likely to work for you. Cancer biomarkers are substances, like genes or proteins, found in your tissue, blood, or saliva. These biomarkers give doctors helpful clues about your cancer. Think of them as a hidden message your body sends that can guide your doctor in understanding and treating your cancer. It’s best to ask about biomarker testing early in your cancer journey, but it’s never too late to start the conversation.
What Are Biomarkers?
Biomarkers are special traits of cancer cells that set them apart from normal cells. Doctors can measure them in your blood, tissue, or other bodily fluids. In cancer care, these markers help your doctor figure out the best treatment for you. Biomarkers can be proteins, genes, or gene changes called mutations. They are often known by short abbreviations, like HER2 in breast cancer or EGFR in lung cancer. These biomarkers tell your doctor which type, or subtype, of cancer you have. This can make a big difference in how your treatment is chosen.
How Biomarker Testing Helps Choose Treatment
Biomarker testing looks for genes, proteins, and other substances that make your cancer unique. Every person’s cancer has its own set of biomarkers. These can affect how well certain treatments work. By using biomarker testing, your doctor can choose treatments that are more likely to help based on your specific cancer.
Some treatments, like targeted therapies or immunotherapies, may only be helpful for people with certain biomarkers. That’s why this testing can be such an important step in your care. Biomarker testing isn’t just for solid tumors, it can also be useful for people with blood cancers.
Other Benefits of Biomarker Testing
Biomarker testing is also known by other names, like molecular testing, tumor profiling, somatic testing, or genomic testing. No matter the name, this type of testing helps doctors match you with the best treatment. It can also show if you might be eligible for clinical trials, which are studies that test new treatments.
According to the American Cancer Society, “biomarker testing can be the key to unlocking precision medicine.” This means that treatments can be chosen based on your personal health and cancer details. Using biomarker testing can lead to better treatment results and a better quality of life. However, not everyone has the same access to this testing.
Why Access to Testing Matters
The American Cancer Society explains that progress in cancer care depends more and more on precision medicine, which includes the use of biomarker testing. But they also warn that without better access to this testing, it could make health differences between groups of people worse. Right now, 16 states cover biomarker testing under state-issued insurance plans. In 2025, 13 more states plan to introduce laws to improve access.
How a Patient Advocate Can Help
Understanding your biomarker test results can help you and your doctor make the best choices for your treatment. If you have questions about testing or need support with next steps, a board-certified patient advocate at Pillar Patient Advocates can help. We’re here to guide you, explain your options, and support you throughout your cancer journey.