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precision oncology awareness month

#POAM25

KNOW THE SCIENCE
KNOW THE STORIES
KNOW THE SYSTEM
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HOW PRECISION MEDICINE WORKS

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#KNOWvember #POAM25

© 2025 the cancer collaborative | le collaboratoire cancer

how confident do you feel asking for testing?

testing can sound complex, and not every clinician, patient, or cancer centre talks about it the same way. but asking the question can make a real difference.

biomarker testing helps identify the biological signals — genes, proteins, or molecular patterns — that shape how a cancer behaves and which treatments are most likely to help. In some cancers, ii’s already part of standard care. in others, it’s still evolving as new evidence emerges.

if you’re unsure how to start the conversation, here are a few ways to frame it:

• is biomarker testing relevant for my type of cancer or stage?
• would testing change the treatment options available to me?
• if testing isn’t available here, are there clinical trials or referral centres that offer it?
• how are test results used to guide treatment or follow-up care?

you don’t have to know everything to ask — you just need to know that asking matters.

every question helps build awareness, strengthen communication, and make testing part of the care conversation.

learn more at knowyourgenome.co — including a patient discussion guide to help you prepare for your next appointment.

know the science.
know the stories.
know the system.

#POAM25 #knowyourgenome #precisiononcology #KNOWvember #patientvoice #cancerpolicy #knowthescience #knowthestories #knowthesystem

how confident do you feel asking for testing?

testing can sound complex, and not every clinician, patient, or cancer centre talks about it the same way. but asking the question can make a real difference.

biomarker testing helps identify the biological signals — genes, proteins, or molecular patterns — that shape how a cancer behaves and which treatments are most likely to help. In some cancers, ii’s already part of standard care. in others, it’s still evolving as new evidence emerges.

if you’re unsure how to start the conversation, here are a few ways to frame it:

• is biomarker testing relevant for my type of cancer or stage?
• would testing change the treatment options available to me?
• if testing isn’t available here, are there clinical trials or referral centres that offer it?
• how are test results used to guide treatment or follow-up care?

you don’t have to know everything to ask — you just need to know that asking matters.

every question helps build awareness, strengthen communication, and make testing part of the care conversation.

learn more at knowyourgenome.co — including a patient discussion guide to help you prepare for your next appointment.

know the science.
know the stories.
know the system.

#POAM25 #knowyourgenome #precisiononcology #KNOWvember #patientvoice #cancerpolicy #knowthescience #knowthestories #knowthesystem

biomarker testing can shape your treatment options — but the conversation often starts with the right questions.

here are questions you can ask your care team to understand how testing fits into your plan:

1. is biomarker or genomic testing standard for my cancer?
some cancers have well-established biomarkers that guide treatment. ask if testing is routine for your type and stage.

2. what tests have already been done on my tumour?
request the exact test names (e.g., her2, pd-l1, brca). knowing what's been done helps you see if more testing is needed.

3. what type of testing was used ?
was it ihc, a single-gene test, or a multi-gene panel like NGS/CGP?

4. what do my results mean for treatment?
some biomarkers point to therapies likely to work; others rule out treatments that won’t. ask how your results influence drug choice, clinical trials, and next steps.

5. if no biomarker was found, what does that mean?
a 'negative' result doesn’t always mean there are no options. ask whether broader or updated testing could help, especially if new therapies have emerged.

6. how long will results take?
timelines vary by province, cancer centre, and test type. knowing this helps you manage expectations and advocate for timely care.

7. will my results be shared with my full care team?
ask how results are communicated and whether they’re included in your medical record for all specialists to access.

8. are there costs or access issues i should know about?
some tests are publicly funded; others may be available through trials, research programs, or compassionate access pathways.

why it matters:
asking informed questions helps ensure testing is timely, complete, and clinically useful — and helps you feel more confident in your care.

how you can engage:
• download our conversation guide at knowyourgenome.co
• share your story by tagging @cancercolab and #knowvember #poam25 or email knowvember@cancercolab.ca

• share this post to help others feel empowered asking about biomarker testing

know the science.
know the stories.
know the system.

#poam25 #knowyourgenome #precisiononcology #knowvember #patientvoice #cancerpolicy #knowthescience #knowthestories #knowthesystem

biomarker testing can shape your treatment options — but the conversation often starts with the right questions.

here are questions you can ask your care team to understand how testing fits into your plan:

1. is biomarker or genomic testing standard for my cancer?
some cancers have well-established biomarkers that guide treatment. ask if testing is routine for your type and stage.

2. what tests have already been done on my tumour?
request the exact test names (e.g., her2, pd-l1, brca). knowing what's been done helps you see if more testing is needed.

3. what type of testing was used ?
was it ihc, a single-gene test, or a multi-gene panel like NGS/CGP?

4. what do my results mean for treatment?
some biomarkers point to therapies likely to work; others rule out treatments that won’t. ask how your results influence drug choice, clinical trials, and next steps.

5. if no biomarker was found, what does that mean?
a 'negative' result doesn’t always mean there are no options. ask whether broader or updated testing could help, especially if new therapies have emerged.

6. how long will results take?
timelines vary by province, cancer centre, and test type. knowing this helps you manage expectations and advocate for timely care.

7. will my results be shared with my full care team?
ask how results are communicated and whether they’re included in your medical record for all specialists to access.

8. are there costs or access issues i should know about?
some tests are publicly funded; others may be available through trials, research programs, or compassionate access pathways.

why it matters:
asking informed questions helps ensure testing is timely, complete, and clinically useful — and helps you feel more confident in your care.

how you can engage:
• download our conversation guide at knowyourgenome.co
• share your story by tagging @cancercolab and #knowvember #poam25 or email knowvember@cancercolab.ca

• share this post to help others feel empowered asking about biomarker testing

know the science.
know the stories.
know the system.

#poam25 #knowyourgenome #precisiononcology #knowvember #patientvoice #cancerpolicy #knowthescience #knowthestories #knowthesystem

today is biomarker awareness day !
biomarker testing helps doctors move beyond one-size-fits-all care by matching treatments to the biology of each tumour

in Canada, access to testing remains inconsistent across provinces and health systems

why it matters
- not everyone who should be tested gets tested
- wait times for results can range from under two weeks to more than eight
- rural, indigenous, and racialized patients often face additional barriers, which can worsen inequities in outcomes

how you can engage
- learn about biomarker testing at knowyourgenome.co
- share this post to help others understand the importance of timely, equitable testing
- join the conversation with #POAM25 #KNOWvember and help make precision oncology accessible for every patient

know the science.
know the stories.
know the system

#POAM25 #knowyourgenome #precisiononcology #KNOWvember #patientvoice #cancerpolicy #knowthescience #knowthestories #knowthesystem

today is biomarker awareness day !
biomarker testing helps doctors move beyond one-size-fits-all care by matching treatments to the biology of each tumour

in Canada, access to testing remains inconsistent across provinces and health systems

why it matters
- not everyone who should be tested gets tested
- wait times for results can range from under two weeks to more than eight
- rural, indigenous, and racialized patients often face additional barriers, which can worsen inequities in outcomes

how you can engage
- learn about biomarker testing at knowyourgenome.co
- share this post to help others understand the importance of timely, equitable testing
- join the conversation with #POAM25 #KNOWvember and help make precision oncology accessible for every patient

know the science.
know the stories.
know the system

#POAM25 #knowyourgenome #precisiononcology #KNOWvember #patientvoice #cancerpolicy #knowthescience #knowthestories #knowthesystem

not every mutation in a tumour can be used in clinical practice-

an actionable mutation is one that changes how doctors diagnose, treat, or monitor cancer.

they are “actionable” because there is evidence showing that a therapy should be chosen, avoided, or adjusted if the mutation is present.

📌 examples of actionable mutations
EGFR mutations in lung cancer → targeted EGFR inhibitors improve outcomes

KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer → EGFR-targeted drugs will not work; testing prevents wasted treatment

BRCA1/2 mutations in ovarian, breast, or prostate cancer → PARP inhibitors can be effective

BRAF V600E mutation in melanoma → targeted BRAF/MEK therapy is an option

why it matters
without biomarker testing, patients might receive therapies that don’t work for the cancer.

with actionable mutation testing, doctors can tailor care to the biology of the tumour — improving survival, reducing side effects, and guiding trial participation.

the bottom line
not all mutations matter (yet)

actionable mutations are the ones that turn lab results into real treatment decisions.

know the science.
know the stories.
know the system.

#POAM25 #knowyourgenome #precisiononcology #KNOWvember #patientvoice #cancerpolicy #knowthescience #knowthestories #knowthesystem

not every mutation in a tumour can be used in clinical practice-

an actionable mutation is one that changes how doctors diagnose, treat, or monitor cancer.

they are “actionable” because there is evidence showing that a therapy should be chosen, avoided, or adjusted if the mutation is present.

📌 examples of actionable mutations
EGFR mutations in lung cancer → targeted EGFR inhibitors improve outcomes

KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer → EGFR-targeted drugs will not work; testing prevents wasted treatment

BRCA1/2 mutations in ovarian, breast, or prostate cancer → PARP inhibitors can be effective

BRAF V600E mutation in melanoma → targeted BRAF/MEK therapy is an option

why it matters
without biomarker testing, patients might receive therapies that don’t work for the cancer.

with actionable mutation testing, doctors can tailor care to the biology of the tumour — improving survival, reducing side effects, and guiding trial participation.

the bottom line
not all mutations matter (yet)

actionable mutations are the ones that turn lab results into real treatment decisions.

know the science.
know the stories.
know the system.

#POAM25 #knowyourgenome #precisiononcology #KNOWvember #patientvoice #cancerpolicy #knowthescience #knowthestories #knowthesystem

not all mutations are the same.
🔹 germline mutations are present in the egg or sperm and therefore can be inherited.

if a parent carries a germline mutation, there is usually a 50% chance of passing it on to each child (autosomal dominant inheritance, as with BRCA1/2).

but not all germline mutations are necessarily passed down in every family line — it depends on whether the parent carries it and the inheritance pattern.
example: BRCA1/2 mutations → increase risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers but may not necessarily b e inherited

🔹 somatic (genomic) mutations develop during a person’s life in tumour cells
they are not inherited or passed on
and are found only in cancer tissue
examples: EGFR mutations in lung cancer, KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer

germline testing → identifies inherited cancer risk, guides prevention, screening, and family counselling

genomic (somatic) testing → guides treatment once cancer is diagnosed, by matching therapies to tumour biology

both genetic and genomic biomarkers matter.

germline testing helps answer 'who may be at risk?' while genomic testing helps answer 'what is the best treatment if cancer develops?'

together, they form the backbone of precision oncology.

know the science.
know the stories.
know the system.

#KNOWvember #POAM25 #cancerpolicy #precisiononcology #knowthesystem #knowthestories #knowthescience

not all mutations are the same.
🔹 germline mutations are present in the egg or sperm and therefore can be inherited.

if a parent carries a germline mutation, there is usually a 50% chance of passing it on to each child (autosomal dominant inheritance, as with BRCA1/2).

but not all germline mutations are necessarily passed down in every family line — it depends on whether the parent carries it and the inheritance pattern.
example: BRCA1/2 mutations → increase risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers but may not necessarily b e inherited

🔹 somatic (genomic) mutations develop during a person’s life in tumour cells
they are not inherited or passed on
and are found only in cancer tissue
examples: EGFR mutations in lung cancer, KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer

germline testing → identifies inherited cancer risk, guides prevention, screening, and family counselling

genomic (somatic) testing → guides treatment once cancer is diagnosed, by matching therapies to tumour biology

both genetic and genomic biomarkers matter.

germline testing helps answer 'who may be at risk?' while genomic testing helps answer 'what is the best treatment if cancer develops?'

together, they form the backbone of precision oncology.

know the science.
know the stories.
know the system.

#KNOWvember #POAM25 #cancerpolicy #precisiononcology #knowthesystem #knowthestories #knowthescience

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