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How to talk to your doctor about biomarker testing
Learn to navigate conversations with your healthcare provider about biomarker testing and personalized treatment plans.
5 min read
Key takeaways
Talking to your doctor about biomarker testing is an important part of your cancer journey. It’s a chance to learn, ask questions, and make decisions that feel right for you. Understanding biomarker testing before your appointment can help boost your confidence and help you walk into your appointment with clear, useful questions in mind.
Remember, it’s okay to take notes, ask follow-up questions, and revisit topics until you feel comfortable. These conversations are meant to support you, and help you feel more informed and empowered in your care. You can refer to the this personalized Discussion Guide to prepare for your conversation with your doctor.
Before the appointment
To confidently discuss biomarker testing with your doctor, it’s helpful to go into the appointment with some background knowledge about what biomarkers are and how biomarker testing works. Cancer biomarkers are measurable signs in tumor cells that help doctors understand how your cancer may behave and respond to care, so your treatment plan, if available, can be tailored to your specific cancer.
Some biomarkers are called actionable because they have been clinically validated and can be treated with an approved therapy. Even if no actionable biomarkers are identified, the test results are still valuable. They give doctors important insight that can help guide treatment decisions and rule out options that may be less likely to work.
Biomarker testing may require tissue samples or liquid samples from blood or other body fluids. To learn more about biomarkers and biomarker testing, you can refer to the following: What are cancer biomarkers and The importance of biomarker testing.
Before your appointment, it may help to write down any questions you have. Below you’ll find a set of suggested questions you can bring to help guide your discussion.
Consider bringing a friend or family member with you. They can offer extra support, help take notes, and remember details. You can also ask your doctor for permission to record the conversation so you don’t miss anything important.
During the appointment
Biomarkers and biomarker testing can be complex, and it’s normal to have questions or need clarification from your care team. It’s normal to have questions or need clarification from your care team. Use your appointment as an opportunity to build understanding, ask for explanations when needed, and feel confident participating in decisions about your care.
Ask whether your specific cancer type could benefit from biomarker testing and which tests may be most relevant.
It can also help to talk through practical details, such as timing, how results could affect your treatment plan, and considerations like insurance coverage or financial assistance. You can also ask your doctor whether biomarker testing might open the door to clinical trial opportunities. Discussing questions like these can help you feel more involved in your treatment decisions.
After getting your results
Once you get your biomarker test results, your doctor will explain what they mean for your care. Sometimes the results may not show any biomarkers, or they may identify biomarkers that don’t currently have a matched treatment.
When certain actionable biomarkers are found, they can help inform treatment options that are more aligned to the biology of your cancer. For example, the results may open the door to more targeted therapies, provide information about whether a current treatment is working, or indicate if the cancer has changed. Results without actionable biomarkers are still meaningful. They can help clarify what is not driving the cancer, which can support treatment planning and avoid approaches that are unlikely to help. These insights can help your doctor determine the most appropriate next steps in your treatment plan.
Biomarker results can sometimes be important for your family, especially if the test finds genetic changes that could be inherited. Your doctor or a genetic counselor can help you understand whether family members might benefit from testing and what types of tests could be useful.
Questions to consider asking your doctor
You should feel comfortable asking your doctor for more information about anything related to biomarkers and biomarker testing. Your care team is there to help you, and make sure you have the information you need to better understand your treatment. If you’re not sure what to ask, here are some questions that can help get the conversation started:
Questions About Biomarkers
- What are cancer biomarkers, and how could they impact my treatment?
- Am I a good candidate for biomarker testing?
- Are there any biomarkers that can impact my eligibility for treatment options like targeted therapy or immunotherapy?
- Can biomarkers show whether my current treatment is still appropriate?
- Are any biomarkers linked to inherited genetic changes that could affect my family?
Questions about biomarker testing
- Have I had biomarker testing done already?
- How is biomarker testing performed? What type of sample is needed for the test (blood, other body fluid, tissue)?
- At what stage should biomarker testing be done?
- How long will it take to get my biomarker test results?
- Will you be looking for one biomarker or several (“comprehensive biomarker testing”)?
- Will I need repeat testing over time?
- Is biomarker testing covered by my insurance?
Questions About Biomarker Test Results
- Were any biomarkers found, and what do these results mean for my treatment options?
- Will these results change the treatment you previously recommended?
- If the results were unclear, should I be retested or get a second opinion?
- What happens if my biomarkers don't match any treatment options?
Biomarker testing supports your treatment decisions
Biomarker testing can be a powerful tool in helping you and your doctor make informed decisions about your care. Understanding what biomarkers are, how testing works, and what your results mean can give you more clarity and confidence throughout your treatment journey. To help prepare, you can use this personalized Discussion Guide to outline the questions you want to discuss with your doctor. Remember, you don’t have to absorb everything at once—your care team is there to support you, answer questions, and help you navigate each step.
Preparing questions before your appointment can make conversations with your doctor more productive and less overwhelming. It’s also okay to take notes, ask follow-up questions, and revisit topics.
Build a biomarker discussion guide you can take to your next appointment:
Correct answer: Preparing questions before your appointment can make conversations with your doctor more productive and less overwhelming. It’s also okay to take notes, ask follow-up questions, and revisit topics.
Build a biomarker discussion guide you can take to your next appointment:
Frequently asked questions
What if my doctor doesn’t bring up biomarker testing?
Sometimes doctors don’t mention biomarker testing right away, even though it can help guide your treatment. In fact, you may have already had testing done. It’s okay to ask about it yourself so you can understand your options and feel more confident in your care.
Are there resources available to help me discuss biomarker testing with my doctor?
Yes, you can get started with this Discussion Guide, which is designed to help you talk to your doctor about biomarker testing. Many organizations also offer patient-friendly guides and question lists to help you talk to your healthcare team. Examples include cancer support groups, hospital patient education centers, and online resources from trusted medical organizations. You can also ask your care team for more information.
What if my doctor doesn’t provide biomarker testing?
If your doctor doesn’t offer biomarker testing, you may still have options. You can ask for a referral to a specialist, a cancer center, or a lab that performs the tests. Some patients also seek care at academic or large medical centers that routinely offer biomarker testing.
How can I get a second opinion?
Getting a second opinion is common and could give you more confidence in your treatment plan. You can request a referral from your current doctor or contact another oncologist or cancer center directly. Be sure to bring your medical records, test results, and any questions you have about biomarker testing and treatment options.
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References
AlDoughaim, Maha et al. Cancer Biomarkers and Precision Oncology: A Review of Recent Trends and Innovations. Clinical Medicine Insights. 2024. doi:10.1177/11795549241298541.
Liu H, Karsidag I, Golin R, Wu G. Bridging discovery and treatment: cancer biomarker. Cancers (Basel). 2025;17(22):3720. Published 2025 Nov 20. doi:10.3390/cancers17223720.
National Cancer Institute. (2023). Genetic testing for inherited cancer risk. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/genetic-testing-fact-sheet.