The goal of genomic testing is to understand how genes influence tumor behavior. Although it is a relatively young and evolving field, genome-based medicine, frequently called personalized medicine, is the future of healthcare—the next logical step in which what we know about human genetics, disease and wellness can be applied to improve patient care.
Personalized medicine promises to make treatment as individualized as the disease. It involves translating genetic, genomic and clinical information into precise diagnostic tests and targeted therapies. Advances in this area of science are also opening the door to far more accurate predictive tests for cancers that allow doctors to better treat and prepare their patients for the most likely course of their disease.