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Genomics, or the study of the genetic makeup of a tumor site, has revealed an important truth for cancer care: not all cancers are the same, even on the same site.
While genomic testing can identify whether a cancer is likely to grow more rapidly than others, or be more likely to spread, it’s also helped healthcare providers offer more precise and personal treatment that goes beyond the tumor site. A drug that has no effect for Patient A may prove successful for Patient B — it all depends on the genomic interactions at play.
As a result, patients may gain more time, a better quality of life and more options for treatment. Here’s how genomics has changed the course of care for people facing lung, breast and prostate cancers.
For years, a diagnosis of lung cancer was nearly a death sentence. The disease tended to progress rapidly, and there were few treatments that were effective in changing its course or simply giving patients more time.
Genomic testing has truly changed the face of lung cancer treatment, specifically for non-small cell lung cancer which affects around 80% of those with the disease. Certain tests have revealed treatment plans to slow the cancer’s progression, giving patients much longer than was previously thought possible.
Metastatic breast cancer, or breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, is one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Until recently it’s been a bleak diagnosis, with a rapid decline in the patient’s physical and emotional health. Today it can be managed similarly to chronic diseases.
Recent genomic tests discovered that by targeting treatment to mutations on the PIK3CA gene, oncologists can largely take control of metastatic breast cancer. Those targeted treatment options may help patients live longer and experience fewer and less potent side effects. In short, patients facing metastatic breast cancer can expect a much better quality of life today than they would have just years ago.
The evolution of prostate cancer care is a great example of how genomics can open up new treatment options for patients. While genetic inheritance remains the strongest risk factor, it was discovered that some prostate cancers are actually caused by mutations on BRCA1 and BRCA2 — the same genes that tend to cause breast cancer.
By making the discovery, genomics opened up a world of different treatment opportunities for people facing prostate cancer. There are a number of drugs and therapies that have historically been used to treat breast cancer because of their effectiveness in targeting mutations on the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Today those treatments are making a big difference for certain people with prostate cancer.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, it’s never too early to talk to your oncologist about genomics. No matter what the path looks like ahead, Community is behind you every step of the way.
