“Don’t Guess. Test.” Is the slogan for a campaign underway to inform people with lung cancer and their physicians to about comprehensive genomic testing and its potential to expand treatment options for the patient.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death among both men and women, accounting for 1 out of 4 cancer deaths. According to the Bonnie J. Addario  Lung  Cancer  Foundation  and  Foundation Medicine – which launched the informational campaign -- the development of targeted therapies – medicines designed to address the underlying genomic drivers of cancer – has revolutionized the treatment of lung cancer; however there is an inherent need to match the right treatment to patients based on their specific genomic makeup.   

“Each lung cancer is unique, like a fingerprint, and no two people have the same exact type,” said Bonnie J. Addario, lung cancer survivor. “There are modern, effective treatments available and important clinical trials for new targeted therapies, but making treatment decisions without knowing the specific genomics of your cancer is a little like playing darts while blindfolded. A comprehensive approach  to  genomic  testing,  or  identifying  targetable  molecular  markers,  can  ensure  that patients  and  their  doctors  have  the  most  information  to  make  the  best  treatment decision. That’s why we tell people, don’t guess, test.”

For more information on “Don’t Guess. Test.” visit www.dontguesstest.org.

About the foundation

The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF) is one of the largest philanthropies (patient-founded, patient-focused, and patient-driven) devoted exclusively to eradicating lung cancer through research, early detection, education, and treatment. The Foundation’s goal is to turn lung cancer into a chronically managed disease by 2023. For more information visit www.lungcancerfoundation.org.