Whitney Jones, MD, the founder of the Colon Cancer Prevention Project is a staunch advocate of increased usage of biomarkers and genetic testing.  When people undergo a hereditary cancer risk assessment, they can learn about their risk for cancer and address the cancer aided by early detection.

 

Dr. Jones says biomarkers also help a drug passes clinical trials, enabling them to more quickly hit the market.  These drug trials can be used in an immunotherapy regimen, which provides an alternative to chemotherapy or radiation.  When a genetic marker is identified, it can result in doctors designing therapies they believe would have maximum efficacy.  Plavix is a prescription medicine, but some people carry a gene that makes Plavix ineffective.  If that gene can be identified through genetic testing, a therapy can be designed that doesn’t include Plavix.

 

The prostate specific antigen is an example of a biomarker that can result in early detection of prostate cancer.  Dr. Jones admits there have been missteps with the prostate specific antigen (PSA), which resulted in its overuse in being an instrument in diagnosing prostate cancer.  He says any new technology needs ongoing scrutiny and with that scrutiny will come an increasing number of god outcomes. 

 

Whitney Jones, MD says it of utmost importance for people to maintain a strong connection with their physician because it is part of their job that they stay up to date with the latest literature on the subject of genetic testing. 

 

Wile many advances have been made in the area of biomarkers, Dr. Jones has no doubt there will be many more, with the passage of time. His vision of the future has biomarkers providing the most help in screening for colorectal cancers and human pappilomavirus-related cancers.  He also envisions health care providers tracking when patients are due for a screening and sending self-exams to their homes.

However for this to be effective, Whitney Jones, MD says it has to be available for everyone, not just the rich.

 

Additional Resources:

 

Support Group:

 

Colon Cancer Prevention Project: https://www.kickingbutt.org