The way we diagnose and treat disease is changing in exciting ways. While medicine has traditionally relied on a broad-brush approach to care, the field is now shifting toward more personalized approaches that align treatment with the individual. This “reimagining” of care delivery is called precision medicine (also known as personalized medicine).

One area where precision medicine is already making waves is oncology. Not only does this approach have the potential to improve cancer outcomes; it can also lead to treatments that are more tolerable for patients and a better fit for their own preferences and priorities.

But before exploring precision medicine’s growing role in cancer management, let’s first take a closer look at what it is.

What is precision medicine?

Precision medicine involves identifying disease risks and treatment based on a person’s unique genes, environment (e.g., local climate, exposure to pollutants), and lifestyle choices.  This is different from traditional medicine, which usually bases treatments on what works for the average patient.

The goal of precision medicine is to “target the right treatments to the right patients at the right time.” This leads to:

• Better potential for early detection and improved survival
• Fewer side effects, since therapies are better matched to the patient’s biology
• Less trial-and-error when it comes to selecting drugs

Precision medicine is a sub-field of precision health—a broader term referring to personalized health care and wellness.

What is the role of precision medicine in cancer care?

When it comes to cancer, precision medicine (also called precision oncology) enables doctors and oncologists to study the genetic characteristics of each patient's disease. This allows them to more accurately diagnose the type of cancer present, predict its behavior, and identify very precise treatments.

Below are some of the ways precision medicine supports better patient outcomes in cancer care and management.

Identifying cancer risk

If you have a strong family history of certain types of cancer—or you’re of a certain race or ethnicity known to have a higher rate of gene mutations— genetic testing can help determine your personal cancer risk. For example, there are tests that identify inherited mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2, which increase the risk for breast, ovarian, and other types of cancers. This information can help you and your health care provider develop a personalized screening plan or take other preventive steps to keep you healthy.

Diagnosing cancer

Biomarker and tumor marker testing detect specific proteins or genes associated with certain cancers. These tools may lead to earlier and less invasive diagnoses, giving patients a better chance at timely and effective treatment.

Treating cancer

The biggest impact of precision medicine is often seen in treatment:

• Genomic testing of a tumor helps oncologists develop customized therapies that precisely target cancer cells—while sparing healthy ones. These tests can also pinpoint      genetic mutations that contribute to treatment resistance. This helps eliminate the trial and error of universal treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, which can harm healthy tissues and don’t work for every patient.
• Pharmacogenomic testing looks at a patient’s genes to determine how their body absorbs and utilizes medicines. This helps oncologists choose the safest and most effective drugs—at precisely the right dosages—to most effectively treat their cancer. It can also lessen side effects that can harm the patient or cause them to stop their treatment.

Breakthroughs in precision health cancer treatments are happening all the time. In a recent study published in Cell Reports Medicine, scientists used precision medicine to identify a new combined treatment strategy for ovarian cancer—a notoriously aggressive and difficult-to-treat disease. These findings could be used to develop treatments for other types of cancer as well.¹

“As physicians and researchers deepen their understanding of cancer at the cellular level, precision medicine offers the opportunity not just to treat the disease, but to anticipate and outmaneuver it,” said Kim Scott, Chief Commercial Officer at Kadance.

Preventing cancer recurrence

While rates vary depending on the type of cancer, recurrence is always a possibility. Now, genomic sequencing can detect tiny fragments of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the bloodstream that may signal cancer’s return. In a study by NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center, researchers found that nearly all melanoma patients with detectable ctDNA at various stages of treatment experienced recurrence. Previous research has shown that DNA-based recurrence testing can accurately trace the progression of breast and colorectal cancers.²

What types of cancers are being treated with precision medicine?

The earliest big leap in precision cancer medicine was the targeted treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).³

Precision medicine is also being used to develop treatments for these other common types of cancers:

• Thyroid cancer
• Melanoma
• Ovarian cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Certain types of lymphoma
• Breast cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Lung cancer

Researchers are currently studying how precision medicine can be applied in diagnosing and treating other types of cancer as well.

Limitations of precision medicine in cancer care

While precision medicine holds great promise for reducing cancer prevalence and improving survival rates, it’s important to understand its limitations:

• Lack of knowledge about precision medicine: Since the field of precision health is still in its infancy, many patients, doctors, and insurance companies may simply not be aware of what it is—or the testing and treatment options available.
• Not all cancers have a clear genetic target: In some cases, genetic testing may not provide information relevant to a patient’s treatment plan.
• Access to precision care is not equal: People in rural or under-resourced regions may face barriers to advanced testing and treatments. For example, precision medicine may be available in a clinical trial, but since most trials are held in larger cancer facilities, they may not be easy for people in rural areas to get to.
• Costs and insurance coverage vary: Some precision medicine tests may not be fully covered by Medicare or private insurance. Be sure to check with your provider and/or plan in advance to see what’s covered—otherwise, you could face steep out-of-pocket costs.

Though these barriers can be discouraging, keep in mind that the field of precision medicine is evolving quickly. As its practices become more widely adopted by the health care industry, more patients will likely be able to access its benefits.

Ask your provider if precision medicine is right for you

If you’re facing a cancer diagnosis, consider asking your health care provider how precision medicine might fit into your care plan.

Here are some questions to start the conversation:

• Can precision medicine help guide my treatment?
• Would genetic or tumor testing provide useful information about my cancer?
• How does this approach compare to standard treatments?
• What are the costs of testing, and does my insurance cover them?
• If test results indicate a certain treatment might work well for me, what would the cost be? Will my insurance cover it?

As research continues and precision cancer medicine becomes more within reach, make it a point to stay informed about advances that could benefit your health. Talk to your provider(s) today about whether precision medicine could make a meaningful difference for you—or someone you care about.

Sources

1. Weill Cornell Medicine. New Precision Medicine Approach Identifies a Promising Ovarian Cancer Treatment. July 7, 2025. Found on the internet at https://news.weill.cornell.edu/news/2025/07/new-precision-medicine-approach-identifies-a-promising-ovarian-cancer-treatment

2. NYU Langone Health. Gene-Based Blood Test for Melanoma May Catch Early Signs of Cancer’s Return. April 16, 2025. Found on the internet at https://nyulangone.org/news/gene-based-blood-test-melanoma-may-catch-early-signs-cancers-return

3. The Scientist. Precision Medicine: A New Era in Cancer Therapy. December 15, 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.the-scientist.com/precision-medicine-a-new-era-in-cancer-therapy-71556