Things you should know about biomarker testing
The digest: Research on biomarker testing
Brought to you by Dr. Mary De Vera, a pharmacoepidemiologist and assistant professor in medication adherence in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia.
In this issue
🧬 Things you should know about biomarker testing
🍽️ The digest: our research on biomarker testing
🎁 Helpful resources on biomarkers
🏆 Award-winning research
🧬 Things you should know about biomarker testing
🍽️ The digest: our research on biomarker testing
In June 2023, I had the opportunity to be part of the the Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network’s (CCRAN) 1st Biomarkers Conference. I was struck by knowledge gaps about biomarker testing – including cancer patients being unfamiliar with the term “biomarker” or not knowing aware of their tumour’s biomarker status. This opened the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues at CCRAN to better understand these knowledge gaps in hopes of addressing them.
We invited individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the past 5 years to complete a survey. Some participants were also asked to take part in one-on-one follow-up interviews.
From the interviews we found that:
1. Biomarker Testing Brings Peace of Mind
Many participants who received biomarker testing told us it gave them more than just medical answers — it gave them relief. Even when results didn’t change their treatment plan, just knowing they had explored every option brought comfort.
2. There’s Still a Lot of Confusion
Even participants who had heard of biomarker testing admitted they didn’t fully understand it. Some said they “knew nothing” or “didn’t know much” despite having had the test. Most relied on their oncologists for information, but many also turned to cancer organizations to help fill in the gaps.
3. Access Isn’t Always Easy
Some participants had to push to get biomarker testing — one even paid out of pocket after being denied by their cancer center. Others said they weren’t offered the test at all. For those who did get tested, the reports were often overwhelming or too complex to understand.
4. Patients Have Ideas for Change
Participants wanted clear, simple information — think pamphlets, short videos, and easy-to-use websites. They also suggested making test results easier to read, with visual aids or tools that explain what the biomarker testing results mean and how they relate to treatment options.
This is the first study to explore the experiences of colorectal cancer patients with biomarker testing—not just in Canada, but globally. By combining survey data and interviews, we uncovered both how patients perceive biomarker testing and the barriers they face accessing it.
Most patients found biomarker testing useful, but many struggled to understand their results or weren’t offered biomarker testing at all. Interviews revealed the emotional, physical, and practical impacts of biomarker testing—along with clear suggestions for improving communication, education, and access.
By centering the patient voice, our study offers a roadmap for making biomarker testing more accessible, understandable, and equitable—so more CRC patients can benefit from these advances in precision cancer care.
Did you find this digest interesting and want to learn more? Check out the full article here.
🎁 Helpful resources about biomarkers
My Colorectal Cancer Consultant is a free online tool developed by CCRAN that helps patients with stage 4 colorectal cancer better understand possible treatments. Just answer a few questions using your pathology report, and you’ll receive a personalized summary to discuss with your oncologist. Want to learn more? Here is the link to CCRAN’s My Colorectal Cancer Consultant
🏆 Award winning research
We’re thrilled to share that Vicki Cheng (PharmD, MSc), a second-year PhD student with Dr. Mary De Vera, was recently named Best Podium Presenter among junior PhD students at UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences’ annual Graduate and Postdoctoral Research Symposium!
Vicki wowed the audience with her research exploring how antidepressant use may be associated with colorectal cancer. It’s exciting work that brings together mental health and cancer research—two areas that affect so many lives—and it shows just how innovative and meaningful colorectal cancer research can be. We’re proud to celebrate Vicki’s achievement and the continuous impact of colorectal cancer research! To connect with directly Vicki, check out her LinkedIn profile.