New precision medicine treatments use information from a patient's DNA - or the DNA of cancer cells residing in their body - to tailor the type of therapy they receive to their own unique genetic profile. Advances in DNA testing are accelerating the pace of this approach.   

Mark Burkard, MD, PhD (pictured at upper right), associate professor, Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care and Anna Zakas, MS, MPH, (not pictured), oncology genetics counselor, UW Health, were interviewed on Wisconsin Public Radio by Larry Meiller to discuss how oncologists are using molecular analyses of tumor cells to guide decisions about cancer treatments. 

The duo took questions from callers and explained how DNA testing is transforming the landscape of oncology care. 

"What we're finding is that [cancers] that look the same under the microscope can be genetically very different, and for a small number of those, we may have some good treatment options," said Dr. Burkard.

Resources:

• "DNA Testing And Cancer Treatment" (audio), Wisconsin Public Radio, January 25, 2018
• "DNA Testing Can Provide Helpful Clues In Cancer Treatment," Wisconsin Public Radio, January 25, 2018