Providing assurance in lung cancer with Signatera™ MRD testing

Two years ago Shelly sat in the emergency room, experiencing excruciating abdominal pain when her care team found a suspicious spot on her lung. Shelly’s doctor insisted on a second scan, and at her follow up appointment approximately six weeks later, the spot on Shelly’s lung had grown by 20%. Her care team presented a few options for next steps, and Shelly elected to move forward with a procedure called a wedge resection, where a portion of her lung was removed and biopsied. Shelly was diagnosed with stage I lung cancer, and did not need additional treatment after surgery.

“I was on a mission to be healthy prior to being diagnosed… You just appreciate things in a different way after you find out, ‘I’m not as healthy as I thought.’”

For lung cancer survivors, monitoring your cancer throughout treatment and into survivorship is crucial. A ctDNA test can detect cancer recurrence earlier than traditional scans, potentially allowing for timely intervention. With frequent serial testing, you can gain peace of mind knowing that signs of molecular recurrence can be caught earlier. Whether you’ve completed surgery, radiation, or immunotherapy, Signatera™ can provide real-time insight into your cancer status, track your response to treatment and monitor for recurrence, and help you and your oncologist make informed decisions about your care.

Shelly is currently being monitored every three months. Serially negative results have given her peace of mind while she stays engaged in advocacy and mentoring within her community.

“If my lung cancer recurs, I want to know about it so that I can have an educated and informed discussion with my oncologist about my options. I just feel like it empowers me and empowers other patients to be involved in their journey, because you want to make the right decision… for you.”