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New Study Underscores Importance of Pharmacogenomic Testing to Patients and Finds Many Aren’t Aware of the Benefits

... of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open finds many patients aren’t made aware of the importance of pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing. A form of biomarker testing, PGx testing examines how variations in a patient’s inherited genes may impact how they respond to different drugs. PGx testing ... said they would be concerned moving forward with the treatment plan in the hypothetical situation without being offered a PGx test first.  “Biomarker testing, including pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing, can play a crucial role in improving cancer outcomes and decreasing cancer disparities, ...

Patient Advocates Rally in Times Square for New Yorkers’ Access to Precision Medicine, Urge Governor Hochul to Sign Biomarker Testing Legislation

... Earlier today, cancer survivors gathered in Times Square alongside health care providers and patient advocates to emphasize the importance of biomarker testing for the health of New York State, its people and its potential for an equitable, hope-filled future. Attendees of the rally called on Governor Hochul to sign Senate Bill 1196a / Assembly Bill 1673a and reject any attempts to weaken the bill by limiting its scope. Biomarker testing enables physicians to match patients with personalized care and improve patient quality of life by avoiding ineffective, invasive ...

Calls to Improve New Yorkers’ Access to Precision Medicine Through Biomarker Testing Bring Together Patients and Providers from across Disease Spectrum

... seeks to improve New Yorkers’ access to precision medicine, requiring all state-regulated health plans, including Medicaid, to cover biomarker testing when it is supported by medical and scientific evidence. Over 60 organizations have rallied together in support of the legislation, citing the efficacy of and praising the innovation in precision medicine.  Biomarker testing is a tool utilized by physicians across a variety of specialties to connect patients to the right treatment at the right time. ...

Advocates Hold Cancer Action Day at State House, Urging Lawmakers to Expand Access to Biomarker Testing & Address Affordability Concerns

... voice with lawmakers by holding an annual Cancer Action Day.  Specifically, the advocates urged support of a proposal to improve access to biomarker testing (SB 120) and legislation relative to insurance cost sharing calculations (SB 17). They also asked lawmakers to protect level funding for ... Program, the Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening Program and the State Cancer Registry. Volunteers met with lawmakers to discuss the role of biomarker testing in connecting patients with the precision medicine treatments that have been proven to reduce risk of death and improve quality ...

Victory for Public Health: ACS CAN Applauds Decision to Reject Flawed Biomarker Legislation

... CAN) in West Virginia: "The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) applauds the Senate for not supporting House Bill 4753, the biomarker testing legislation, which was supposed to allow West Virginians to get the testing they need and not fall farther behind other states. West Virginia patients deserve access to proven and necessary biomarker tests that can allow them to benefit from the right treatments at the right time – often leading to improved health outcomes, better ...

Texas Becomes Latest State to Improve Access to Biomarker Testing, Beating New York in Push to Prioritize Precision Medicine

... TX – MAY 30, 2023 – Yesterday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 989 into law, making Texas the 11 th state to expand access to biomarker testing. New York is considering comparable legislation through Assembly Bill 1673 / Senate Bill 1196. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action ... responded to the legislative victory in Texas with the following statement:   “Texas has joined a growing list of states expanding access to biomarker testing. The clock is ticking for New York to do the same. We cannot wait any longer to act on Assembly Bill 1673 / Senate Bill 1196. ...

New Survey: Top Barriers to Biomarker Use in Cancer Care Include Coverage and Cost Concerns

... Network (ACS CAN) released new survey data today examining some of the most common barriers providers face in performing recommended cancer biomarker testing. The survey of 315 oncology providers found lab turnaround time was the greatest challenge to biomarker testing (41%), followed by patient concerns about out-of-pocket costs (39%) and insurance coverage of biomarker tests (37%). The majority ...

Thank You to Our 2023 Lights of Hope Sponsors!

We could not accomplish the critical cancer advocacy work that we do without the generosity of our sponsors.   What is Biomarker Testing? In cancer care, biomarkers are often used to help determine the best treatment for a patient . A “ biomarker ” is a sign of a normal biological process, disease or abnormal function that can be measured in blood, tissue or bodily fluid.  ...

Survivor Views of Pharmacogenomic Testing

... at all levels of government. Fielded June 26-July 19, 2023, our latest survey explores awareness of and attitudes toward pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing, a form of genetic testing to better understand a patient’s risk for drug reactions. The web-based survey was conducted among 1,155n cancer patients and survivors ... same drug. These differences may impact the effectiveness of a drug or the side effects a person may experience. (Note: this is different from biomarker testing of a tumor to help determine which drug may be used) Four-in-Ten Aware of PGx Testing Based on the definition above, 42% of ...

Cancer Advocates Commend Colorado Lawmakers for Positive First Step in Opening Door to Precision Medicine

... Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) applauds the Colorado General Assembly for taking a great first step to increasing access to biomarker testing by passing SB24-124. The bill was met with strong bi-partisan support in both the House and Senate. With the legislative process now ... enacted, the policy would help connect more patients diagnosed with cancer or other diseases with the right treatment at the right time through biomarker testing .  The bill would ensure more patients with private insurance will have health insurance coverage for the biomarker testing they ...

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