One of the most exciting developments in recent years is a type of testing that's helping doctors choose the best treatments for their patients. Let's dive into why Functional Profiling is a big deal in the fight against cancer.
First off, we need to talk about money, often the elephant in the room of healthcare discussions. No one likes to think about the cost when it comes to health, but it is a big part of the conversation.
Cancer therapy can be really expensive. But here's the kicker, Functional Profiling costs way less than than even a single cycle of most chemotherapies. Add to the cost, the very high likelihood that your treatment won’t work, and you’ve got a very, very bad bargain on your hands.
This means that not only could patients save money in the long run, but doctors can also be more confident they're choosing the most effective and cost-efficient treatment right from the start. So why aren’t we using personalized medicine to reduce costs, instead of just using it as a marketing buzzword?
There's a ton of research backing up this approach. In fact, there's more published data supporting Functional Profiling than virtually any other new technologies, like those based on genomics (the study of all of a person's genes).
This isn't just a few studies; it's a growing body of evidence showing that this approach really works with more than 40 peer-reviewed papers and more than 10,000 patient studies.
So, what's this test all about? It involves processing tissue from the cancer itself. This might sound complicated, but it's becoming pretty standard stuff in labs across the country.
What type of medicine could be more personalized than analyzing a patient’s own cells?
By looking at the cancer tissue directly, doctors can learn a lot about what treatments might work best for each individual patient. It's like getting a sneak peek into how the cancer might react before deciding on the treatment plan. It also allows us to adjust doses and schedules without losing efficacy by knowing in advance what drugs and combinations will work best.
Now, with any medical test or treatment, quality and safety are super important. That's where CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) comes in. This is a set of standards that labs have to meet to make sure they're doing everything correctly and consistently. When a lab is CLIA-licensed, it means they've got the official thumbs-up for quality and standardization.
This is a big deal because it helps ensure that the tests are reliable and that patients are getting the best care possible. Nagourney Cancer Institute has been CLIA-licensed for over 20 years and Dr. Nagourney himself is triple boarded in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Hematology.
This approach to cancer treatment is showing a lot of promise. It's more affordable than many traditional therapies - saving money for medical systems and patients, backed by solid research, and held to high-quality standards.
This is an exciting time in cancer care, and this testing is a big part of that. As we continue to learn and improve, it's all about giving patients the best shot at beating cancer.