Biomarker testing is key to unlocking precision medicine.
Biomarkers are often used to help determine the best treatment for a patient, but not all communities are benefitting from the latest advancements in biomarker testing and precision medicine.
Progress in improving cancer outcomes increasingly involves the use of precision medicine. Biomarker testing is an important step for accessing precision medicine including targeted therapies that can lead to improved survivorship and better quality of life for cancer patients. But without action to expand coverage of and access to biomarker testing, advances in precision medicine could increase existing disparities in cancer outcomes by race, ethnicity, income, and geography.
ACS CAN is working to expand insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing.
Biomarker testing coverage for all state-regulated plans: AZ, CA, CT, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, MD, MN, NE^, NM, NJ, NY, OK, PA, RI, TX Biomarker testing coverage for some plans: AR*, CO*, FL**, LA* Legislation introduced in 2025: CT, DE, HI, MA, ME, NH, NC, NV, OH, TN, VT, WA
*Arkansas, Colorado and Louisiana laws apply to state-regulated private plans **Florida law applies to Medicaid and state employee health plan. ^Nebraska law applies to a limited list of diseases and conditions Effective dates vary. Last updated June 2025.
Biomarker testing helps ensure cancer patients get the right treatment at the right time.
It allows doctors to precisely target a specific cancer so patients may not have to undergo more generalized treatments like chemo and radiation that may not work as well for them.
Massachusetts cancer survivors and caregivers urge lawmakers to support legislation that will increase access to precision medicine and patient navigation for all communities.
Precision medicine in cancer involves targeted therapies which work by interfering with specific cellular processes involved in the growth, spread, and progression of cancer. Treatment with targeted therapy often requires diagnostic testing to identify specific cancer biomarkers. Testing patients for biomarkers is integral to precision medicine in cancer care.
Advances in precision medicine have led to targeted cancer therapies that have improved patient outcomes and quality of life within populations of cancer patients with very specific biomarkers. Testing patients for cancer biomarkers is integral to identify those who may benefit from targeted therapy. Despite the importance of such testing, many cancer patients are not tested for biomarkers. This fact sheet highlights recent advancements in targeted cancer therapies and data from ACS CAN Survivor Views surveys of cancer patients and survivors assessing barriers to biomarker testing.