含羞草研究社淚t was like a miracle.含羞草研究社�

Trish Keating was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2010 and after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, she was told in 2013 when her cancer returned that it was terminal.

After enrolling in the Personalized Onco-Genomics (POG) Program at BC Cancer, the team of experts discovered Trish含羞草研究社檚 cancer was driven by a specific protein. They then identified and administered an existing blood pressure medication that is known to block pathways to that protein.

The results were rapid and dramatic: eight weeks after starting her new treatment, Trish was tumour-free.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 still so hard to believe,含羞草研究社� says Trish. 含羞草研究社淚 was months away from death.含羞草研究社�

Trish含羞草研究社檚 experience is just one example of how genomics 含羞草研究社� where experts deploy whole genome analysis to inform individual treatment planning for patients 含羞草研究社� is transforming cancer care for people across B.C.

含羞草研究社淭he use of genomics is trying to understand the blueprint 含羞草研究社� what we call the genome 含羞草研究社� to a cancer, and by understanding that blueprint we can then start to individualize treatments for patients,含羞草研究社� says Dr. Howard Lim, medical oncologist, BC Cancer. 含羞草研究社淕enomics will change not only how we treat cancer, but also how we detect and prevent cancer.含羞草研究社�

Cancer genomes are as unique as a fingerprint, and no two genomes are identical. Therefore, says Dr. Lim, cancer treatment can no longer be one-size-fits-all.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e beginning to understand that not all cancers are the same and certain ones respond differently to different treatments, or don含羞草研究社檛 respond at all to particular treatments,含羞草研究社� he says. 含羞草研究社淲ith this knowledge we can begin to tailor the type of chemotherapy or targeted agents that we can use for treating specific cancers.含羞草研究社�

Dr. Lim says donor funding has played a pivotal role in advancing genomics research, which is also the focus of BC Cancer Foundation含羞草研究社檚 Discovery Luncheon on Nov. 5 in Kelowna.

含羞草研究社淭he basic science we do to help further all of this research is thanks to donor support 含羞草研究社� it makes a huge impact to all of us in the clinic,含羞草研究社� says Dr. Lim. 含羞草研究社淚n fact, a lot of the research and treatments we含羞草研究社檝e moved forward with is because of BC Cancer Foundation donors.含羞草研究社�

You can help transform the standard of cancer care with genomically informed treatments for British Columbians facing cancer. Learn more at .