For Star, genomic testing happened from the start

At 50, Star experienced severe pain in her left side. Her physicians ruled out musculoskeletal issues, kidney stones, gynecologic disorders, and acid reflux. A gastroenterologist scoped her GI tract, which didn’t detect anything suspicious but precipitated a severe cough and nausea. These symptoms led her to the ER.

There, an X-ray of her chest showed a large pleural effusion. A CT scan revealed a mass. A PET scan showed the cancer had metastasized throughout Star’s body, including her brain. The diagnosis was stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

“I’m alive today because of genomic testing,” says Star.

Fluid had accumulated in her lungs, making a tissue biopsy extremely challenging. So, Star’s physician ordered a liquid biopsy test to obtain genomic results. The results came back positive for an EGFR mutation that about 15% of lung cancer patients have. She immediately started on a targeted therapy that the FDA had just approved four months earlier.

Thanks to this precise diagnosis and quick intervention, Star is doing well more than two years later.