Genomic Testing: A Patient’s Guide to Understanding Your Cancer’s Unique Biology
Key Takeaways
- Genomic testing analyzes your cancer’s DNA to uncover what’s driving it.
- Most patients already have this report but don’t know how to use it.
- The findings can point to targeted, integrative, or repurposed therapies.
- Astron Health helps connect genomic data to real treatment decisions.
- Heal Navigator’s Care Team can help you interpret your report and plan next steps.
🎧 Listen to the full podcast conversation with Dr. Padman Vamadevan and Ben Whately of Astron Health
If you’ve been through surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, you know how focused standard oncology is on the immediate goal: Shrink the tumor, then check the scans.
But what comes next?
What if the treatment stops working? What if you want to lower your chances of recurrence? Or what if you simply want to understand what’s unique about your cancer beyond the standard diagnosis?That’s where genomic testing comes in, and why it’s often overlooked.
Most patients don’t realize they already have a genomic report sitting in their file.
And too often, oncologists either don’t share it or don’t act on it, because current treatment guidelines don’t always specify what to do with the results.
“Many patients… don’t even know that they’ve had [genomic testing] because their oncologist doesn’t tell them about it, because there’s nothing they can do with the result nine times out of ten.” — Dr. Padman Vamadevan
Yet hidden in that report are valuable clues about your cancer’s biology, and sometimes, even vulnerabilities that could be addressed with existing or repurposed medications such as metformin, statins, or mebendazole.
This guide will help you understand what genomic testing is, how to find your report, and how to use it to personalize your next steps.
This article is adapted from the podcast we hosted with Dr. Padman Vamadevan and Ben Whately of Astron Health.
What Is Genomic Testing?
Genomic testing is a type of laboratory test that analyzes the DNA inside your cancer cells to identify genetic changes, called mutations, that drive tumor growth.
These tests help doctors understand why a particular cancer developed, how it behaves, and which treatments may be most effective for you.
Unlike standard pathology or imaging reports that show what your cancer looks like, genomic testing reveals how it works, offering a more detailed picture of your cancer’s unique biology.
Each person’s tumor has its own genetic fingerprint.
Knowing which genes are altered can help guide targeted therapies, uncover repurposed drug options, and identify clinical trials suited to your specific tumor profile.
“Two people can have the same diagnosis but completely different cancer biology,” explains Dr. Padman Vamadevan of Astron Health. “That’s why genomic testing is so powerful, it helps you and your doctor treat your version of the disease.”
How Does Genomic Testing Work?
Genomic testing starts with a sample of your cancer cells, usually taken from a biopsy, surgery, or sometimes a simple blood draw, called a liquid biopsy.
Laboratories then sequence the DNA and compare it to normal cells to identify mutations, altered pathways, or protein markers that could be influencing how your cancer grows or responds to treatment.
These results are compiled into what’s called a molecular profile, a detailed report that lists key genetic changes and what they might mean for treatment.
Here’s what genomic tests commonly measure:
| What It Looks At | What It Shows | Example |
| DNA mutations | Permanent changes in genes that make cells grow or resist treatment | BRCA1, KRAS, TP53 |
| RNA expression | How active or “loud” certain genes are showing which pathways are turned on or off | HER2, EGFR |
| Protein markers | Molecules that can affect how the immune system or drugs interact with the tumor | PD-L1, MSI-H |
| Pathway mapping | Groups of genes that work together to drive tumor growth or drug resistance | mTOR, PI3K, WNT |
Once analyzed, the lab report can:
- Suggest targeted therapies matched to your tumor’s mutations
- Reveal repurposed medications or supplements supported by research
- Identify clinical trials based on your genetic findings
- Help monitor for resistance or recurrence over time
“The technology for testing is already here,” says Dr. Vamadevan. “The real challenge is making the results actionable, and that’s where platforms like Astron Health come in.”
What Can Genomic Testing Tell You About Your Cancer?
Genomic testing reveals the genetic mutations, pathways, and molecular signals that make your cancer grow, spread, or resist treatment.
These insights help doctors understand how your cancer behaves, and which therapies may (or may not) work best for you.
It answers three main questions:
- What’s driving the cancer? Identifies mutations that fuel tumor growth.
- How aggressive is it? Some mutations predict speed of spread or therapy resistance.
- How can it be targeted? Highlights potential drug matches, including targeted or repurposed options.
“We’ve identified more than 200,000 drug-to-mutation pairs,” says Ben. “Our goal is to make sure that data doesn’t just sit in a report, it actually informs what happens next.”
How Can You Use Your Genomic Report to Guide Treatment?
You can use your genomic report as a roadmap for personalized care.
By showing which genes or pathways are active in your cancer, it helps identify targeted treatments, repurposed drugs, and clinical trials relevant to you.
Step 1: Review the Report With a Qualified Practitioner
Ask your oncologist, integrative doctor, or precision-medicine specialist to explain:
- Which mutations are “actionable” meaning they have evidence or approved drugs.
- Which are still research-based but could inform future options.
- Whether there are safe repurposed or adjunctive therapies worth discussing.
“When you don’t test, you guess,” says Dr. Vamadevan. “Genomic data lets you be proactive, not reactive.”
Step 2: Explore Options That Match Your Results
Your care team might discuss:
- Targeted therapies that block your tumor’s signals
- Immunotherapies for cancers that show signs of being more responsive to immune-based treatments
- Repurposed medications (e.g., metformin, statins, mebendazole)
- Clinical trials aimed at your mutation profile
Step 3: Use Tools That Turn Data Into Action
Astron Health helps bridge the gap between complex lab data and real-world treatment.
Their technology reviews thousands of published studies to show which drugs, including targeted or repurposed options, are most likely to work for your specific cancer profile.
“No single doctor can read hundreds of thousands of studies,” says Ben Whately. “Our system highlights what’s most relevant so oncologists can act on it.”
Step 4: Keep Testing and Refining
Your tumor’s genetics can change.
Repeating the test every 6–12 months, or after major treatment shifts, helps track new mutations and update your plan.
How Can You Find Out If You’ve Already Had Genomic Testing?
You may already have a genomic report in your medical file without realizing it.
These tests are often ordered automatically after a biopsy or surgery, especially in major hospitals or cancer centers, but many patients are never told the results or what they mean.
Start by checking your pathology or oncology records for any of the following terms:
- Genomic testing
- Molecular profiling
- Comprehensive genomic panel
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS)
If you see those phrases, or a report from a lab such as Tempus, Guardant360, Foundation Medicine, Natera, Datar Cancer Genetics, you’ve likely already had genomic testing done.
How to Ask Your Oncologist or Clinic
You can use simple language when asking about it:
- “Has any genomic or molecular testing been done on my tumor tissue?”
- “If so, can I get a copy of the full genomic report?”
Request the complete PDF, not just a one-page summary, it often includes dozens of genes, pathway analyses, and notes on “actionable” findings that could guide future decisions.
If your oncologist isn’t sure, you can also:
- Contact the pathology department where your biopsy was processed.
- Ask your clinic’s nurse or medical-records office to check your file.
- Call the testing lab directly; they can confirm whether testing was done and send a copy through your doctor.
What If You Haven’t Had Genomic Testing Yet?
Genomic testing can usually be done on existing biopsy tissue, you don’t always need a new procedure.
If your sample is stored (as most are), your doctor can request it be sent to a certified lab for analysis.
Some newer options, like liquid biopsy, can analyze cancer DNA from a blood sample if tissue isn’t available.
If you’re unsure where to begin, Heal Navigator’s Care Team can connect you with practitioners who routinely order and interpret genomic and molecular tests.
Your Next Steps
If you already have a genomic report, or suspect one is in your file, don’t let it go unused.
These insights can help you make smarter, more personalized choices about your next phase of treatment.
