Foundation One Testing

[thorson327]

Has anyone had the Foundation One Liquid testing performed? I received the results via fax today. From what I can decipher, once again the odds are not in my favor. Any insight on others results would be greatly appreciated.

[hdhonda]

I have never heard of Foundation One Liquid testing. Did your oncologist order it? I go to a local oncologist and also I go to Moffitt Cancer Center and neither have ever mentioned it. Hopefully, when you discuss with your oncologist, your worries will be relieved. Blessings, Hannah

[thorson327 in reply to hdhonda]

Norm onc for 4yrs never mentioned it. He retired, now have an older onc who suggested it the 1st time he saw me. The test shows mutations and can suggest which drugs may have more of a benefit.

[thorson327]

I agree, the problem is I am not going back to my onco, so I didn't get the results deciphered. I needed the results for a dr appt today.

[Joan37]

Almost 2 years ago, I had genomic testing through a liquid biopsy done by Guardant Health 360. Now, I finally know know about my mutations at this point in time (I'd like to get the test done again at some point to see whether that has changed).

Genomic testing is NOT the same as genetic testing, which is usually done through a counselor. Genetic mutations are inherited mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA 2 in breast and ovarian cancer. Passed down from your mother and/or father. Genomic mutations happen after conception and throughout life (and of course many of them do not cause a problem).

I had more anxiety about not knowing what kinds of mutations I had than knowing. But that's just me: I'd rather know. Other patients do not. One is not better than the other because to each, his/her own.

Many oncologists never even mention liquid biopsies because they are not yet standard of care in the clinic for MBC. However, this is a major hot topic in MBC research. I'm a beast cancer advocate, and advocates are also encouraging this.

It's important to know that just because you have a certain mutation, a treatment indicated for MBC may not be available for that mutation. However, you could potentially be eligible for a basket trial (see NCI), in which all the clinical trial enrollees have the same mutation but different types of cancer. Further, if you know your mutations, you can be on the lookout for MBC trials that may come up. Or just for information about your mutation in a trial for another type of cancer, just to see how that goes.

For finding trials in general, try: bacterials.org, which would be Metastatic Trial Search. It is dedicated only to MBC. MTS allows a patient to input specific information about their cancer type and find potential trials across the country (by using either a zip code or just a slider which can cover the entire US). MTS also allows for receiving updates on new trials that come out since you last looked.

Clinical trials are an option, which many patients don't realize. They think trials are a last-ditch effort (false), that you can receive a placebo (false) or that you get less care (really false. You get so much care because the doctors follow you closely, that you'll get sick of it!).

Best,

Joan

[thorson327 in reply to Joan37]

Well said Joan, thank you!

[13plus]

I had the Foundation test done a couple of months ago and I thought the report was incredibly helpful for your doctors as it really shows them why certain drugs will be more help than others.

Try not to worry about the mutations and what they mean (we all have mutations of one kind or another!), look at as more insight for the docs in choosing treatment.

If you think about it, when we get a basic diagnosis of MBC they throw the standard treatment at us for our general type of BC but it's a bit trial and error really. And when one doesn't work they try another. This information you have in your hands means the docs can head straight to the drugs that should work.

Btw I think this option is fairly new to market.

Hopefully the visit you had with the

New doc today was helpful.

[thorson327 in reply to 13plus]

Thank you. Visit was informative. I really liked the dr. Going for a liver bx next wk to see what monster(s) we are dealing with now.

[MMMP in reply to 13plus]

I just had it done a few months ago my doctor was glad to have it as a tool to see what medications would be helpful in the future-