Personalised Medicine
Introduction
Personalised medicine is an evolving approach to medicine that uses information about your individual cancer to better guide treatment decisions. It is a growing area in the treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers.
On this page, you will find more information about personalised medicine, as well as information on an Australian program looking to improve access to personalised medicine for people with cancer, including Upper GI Cancers.
How does personalised medicine work?
Traditionally, cancer has been treated with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, based on its location in the body. For example, there are specific medicines to treat bowel cancer, others to treat breast cancer, and so on.
More recently, a range of innovative targeted therapies have been developed. Targeted therapies attack specific features on a cancer cell to stop the cancer growing and spreading.
Each person has their own genetic makeup, and that makes their cancer different as well. If we can identify the specific genetic features that make a person’s cancer unique, we can use a targeted therapy that is designed to attack those specific features.
What is comprehensive genomic profiling?
One way to uncover the specific genetic features of a cancer is through comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP).
CGP involves testing a sample of cancer tissue to look for changes in over 500 genes known to affect the growth of a cancer. These changes, called biomarkers, form a ‘fingerprint’ for a cancer.
Doctors can then use this information to find more effective and targeted treatment options for that cancer.
How can I access FREE comprehensive genomic profiling in Australia?
Omico (The Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Centre) provides free CGP for eligible Australians through its Cancer Screening Program called CaSP.
The program is for people in Australia living with
- All types of solid cancers that are advanced, incurable or poor prognosis cancers
- This includes pancreatic cancer regardless of cancer stage
Omico has received funding from the Australian Government, NSW Government and other private companies involved in cancer care to provide this service to 23,000 Australians.
You can find out more about Omico and how to access CGP through its Cancer Screening Program in this booklet
To view a recent webinar on Omico and the CGP Webinar on Precision Oncology Information for Patients on Vimeo
How to find a clinical trial
For information about current Australian cancer clinical trials visit the Australian Cancer Clinical trials website: www.australiancancertrials.gov.au.
[Please note]
The information on this page is intended as a guide to prompt discussions with your treatment team who are best placed to guide you on eligibility and decisions regarding your individual situation. Pancare Foundation is unable to advise on eligibility but if you have any further questions, or would like any other information or support, please feel free to reach out to our Upper GI nurses on PH: 1300 881 698 (9 am – 5pm AEST) or email
Speak to our Specialist Support Team for Practical Support.
Specialist Support Team 1300 881 698
