Biomarkers

Warren W.

Warren’s cancer experience began in the early 2000s. A few years ago, he had a recurrence and was found to have stage IV lung cancer that was inoperable. However, he participated in a clinical trial and was given an immunotherapy drug based on his biomarkers, shrinking the original tumor.

Though biomarkers ultimately had a deep impact on his care, he wishes he had been more involved in conversations with his care team. “I had to do research on my own. I can’t regurgitate information about biomarkers and ALK, but I searched on the internet so that I could at least understand what my doctors were telling me—the same way a businessperson tracks their profit margin or gross revenue,” he shares. “Having a level of comfort that we’re talking the same language would be helpful to patients, who are dealing with so much already.”

Learn more about biomarker basics.

Erica W.

Erica was diagnosed with stage IVB ovarian cancer in May 2020. Her surgeon suggested biomarker testing, and she was found to have the BRCA2 mutation. Because of these results, Erica’s care team knew she would respond better to a specific treatment designed for people with this mutation. She is currently on maintenance therapy to stop her tumor from growing.

Interestingly, her son had bought her an ancestry kit as a gift a few years prior to her diagnosis, and her results had included information about her BRCA2 mutation. “I didn’t think much of it at the time,” Erica says. “I should have gone to my physician and asked about it. I waited too long, but hopefully now I can help others by sharing how good it is to know your biomarker status.”

Browse our video library and watch expert responses to patient questions about biomarkers.

Angela R. W.

Angela was diagnosed with breast cancer following an annual mammogram in October 2019. She spent her 65th birthday that year getting a needle biopsy and soon after met with a genetic counselor. Cancer is prevalent in Angela’s family. Three aunts had metastatic breast cancer; her maternal grandmother had bone cancer and decided not to pursue treatment; other relatives had lung cancer, leukemia and various recurrences. Knowing this, she had “a quick mental shutdown,” but then started using what she knew from family to advocate for herself and her treatment, asking her doctors for a double mastectomy.

She also received biomarker testing and found that she was negative for the BRCA genes. However, her cancer was hormone-positive, which affected her treatment. She completed her primary treatment in summer 2020 and is now taking a hormone receptor-based maintenance drug. “I wish I’d know more about the cancer in our family,” Angela admits. “My attitude is ‘your business is your business’; I don’t say, ‘Hey, tell me about your cancer.’ But at a family reunion we brought this up and realized we need to spend more time documenting our medical histories.”

Our printable My Cancer Family History worksheet can help you record information about cancer within your family.

Jasmine P.

Jasmine found a lump in her breast in the summer of 2019, at age 26. She noticed it growing and asked a specialist for a mammogram, but was told she was too young to receive one. Eventually she received a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer. Prior to this experience, she knew of a history of cancer within her family: her paternal grandmother, two great-aunts and her great-grandmother had all passed from breast cancer. She also had an aunt who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had tested positive for the BRCA1 gene.

She knew that her father was BRCA positive—but, because there wasn’t a family history of cancer for anyone so young, she didn’t feel an urgency to get tested herself at the time. She notes, “Since we found out about the gene, one of my dad’s cousins has created a cancer family tree. It’s so pervasive that insurance has made allowances to cover testing for extended family members. Out of everyone, only three have come back negative for the gene.” She’s been in remission for over a year now, but after receiving mixed advice from doctors regarding her diagnosis, her future and her fertility, she wishes she could have more specific answers about what her BRCA status means for her future.

To find more information about biomarkers for specific cancer diagnoses, view additional resources from other advocacy organizations.