Tag Archive for: MSI high

Tools for Accessing Personalized Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment and Care

Tools for Accessing Personalized Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment and Care from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

What steps can advanced prostate cancer patients take to help them access the most personalized treatment approach for their disease? This animated video reviews key treatment decision factors, how biomarker testing results affect care, and advice for self-advocacy. 

See More From INSIST! Prostate Cancer

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What Questions Should Prostate Cancer Patients Ask About Testing and Test Results

What Questions Should Prostate Cancer Patients Ask About Testing and Test Results? 

How Do Biomarker Test Results Impact Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

How Do Biomarker Test Results Impact Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

Essential Testing Following a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Essential Testing Following a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis 


Transcript:

Every advanced prostate cancer patient is unique AND so is their disease. Advances in research are making personalized medicine a reality, tailoring care and therapy choices based on the genetic makeup and individual characteristics of a patient’s disease.   

As prostate cancer research evolves and treatment options expand, it’s vital that patients work with their healthcare team to find the best treatment approach to treat their specific cancer.  

An essential step to accessing personalized medicine is biomarker testing, which identifies key markers such as genes, proteins, or other molecules in a sample of tissue, blood, or other bodily fluid. The results of these tests can provide a fuller picture of the prostate cancer’s type, stage, and aggressiveness and may help predict how the cancer will behave. 

The test results can also identify which treatment approach may be most effective, through the presence of certain molecular markers.  For example, if a tumor has either high microsatellite instability (MSI high) or mismatch repair defects (dMMR), a prostate cancer patient may benefit from immunotherapy. Or a PARP inhibitor therapy may be more effective if the presence of mutations in certain DNA damage repair genes is detected. 

In addition to biomarker test results, other factors that physicians consider when recommending a treatment approach include:  

  • A patient’s age, overall health, and any pre-existing conditions. 
  • The type, stage, and grade of prostate cancer. 
  • And, potential side effects or impact on their lifestyle. 
  • And, the patient’s preference. 

Along with these considerations, it’s vital that patients discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each option with their team. So, how can you be proactive in order to access personalized care? 

  • Ensure that your doctor has experience treating prostate cancer. Consider consulting a specialist or obtaining a second opinion, so you can feel confident in your diagnosis and treatment plan. 
  • Ask a friend or loved to join you during key discussions with your provider, to help you process the information and to make decisions. 
  • And, be sure to request all essential testing, including biomarker testing, and ask how the results may affect your prognosis and treatment options.  
  • Discuss ALL of the treatments available to you, including any potential side effects.  
  • And ask if there is a clinical trial that could be right for you.
  • Finally, and most importantly, YOU should be at the center of your prostate cancer care. Share your opinions and ask questions throughout the process, so you feel empowered and informed. 

To learn more about prostate cancer and to access tools for self-advocacy, visit powerfulpatients.org/PC. 

How Can You Access Personalized Medicine for Endometrial Cancer?

How Can You Access Personalized Medicine for Endometrial Cancer? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

How can endometrial cancer patients access the most personalized treatment approach for their individual disease? This animated video reviews key treatment considerations, the impact of biomarker test results on therapy options, and advice for engaging in care decisions. 

Related Programs:

Endometrial Cancer Treatment and Research Updates

What Are Treatment Options for Endometrial Cancer?

Endometrial Cancer Treatment Decisions | Factors That Impact Your Options

Endometrial Cancer Treatment Decisions | Factors That Impact Your Options


Transcript:

Endometrial cancer research is evolving quickly, leading to targeted treatment approaches and helping patients access more personalized care.   

So, what is personalized medicine? Personalized medicine – also called precision medicine – is a type of care that is based on the genetic makeup and individual characteristics of a patient’s disease.  

This information is gathered using biomarker testing, which identifies key markers such as genes, proteins, or other molecules in a sample of tissue, blood, or other bodily fluid. The results of this testing can give a more detailed picture of the tumor’s type, aggressiveness, and may help predict how the cancer will behave. 

The test results can also identify which treatment approach may be most effective, through the presence of certain molecular markers.  For example, if biomarker testing results reveal that a tumor has either high microsatellite instability (MSI high) or mismatch repair defects (dMMR), an endometrial cancer patient may benefit from immunotherapy.  

Or, if the results show the HER-2 or mTOR mutation, this could indicate that the disease may respond well to a targeted therapy. And the presence of estrogen or progesterone receptors in a patient’s tumor may suggest hormonally targeted therapies may be beneficial. 

In addition to biomarker test results, other factors that physicians consider when recommending a treatment approach include:  

  • A patient’s age, overall health, and any pre-existing conditions. 
  • The type, stage, and grade of endometrial cancer.
  • And the patient’s preference. 

When considering treatment, patients should discuss the pros and cons of each option with their doctor. And they should review potential side effects, understand how the treatment is administered, and how the therapy may impact their lifestyle.  

So, what steps can YOU take to access personalized care? 

  • Find out if your doctor has experience treating endometrial cancer. Consulting a specialist or getting a second opinion can help confirm your diagnosis and treatment plan. 
  • Next, request all essential testing, including biomarker testing, and discuss how the results may impact prognosis and therapy options.  
  • You should also ensure that you understand ALL of the treatments available to you – including clinical trials.
  • And, make sure to have a friend or loved one present during discussions, so you can talk about the information later and feel confident in your decisions.
  • Finally, don’t hesitate to share your opinion and ask questions about available options. Remember, YOU should be at the center of your endometrial cancer care. 

To learn more about endometrial cancer and to access tools for self-advocacy, visit powerfulpatients.org/endometrial