Categories for Diagnostics

Computer generated image of close-up of blue DNA strand with red cells surrounding it.

Did You Inherit Cancer Causing Gene Mutations?

Published by on February 18, 2019 | Share your thoughts

Many of us have had a blood relative with cancer. If you inherited certain causing genetic mutations, it can increase your chances of developing cancer as well. Two Types of Inherited Mutations There are two types of inherited mutations that could affect you for cancer. 1. Germline Inherited: These are inherited through the family germline, affecting many generations. They’re relatively rare, connected with causing 10 -15% of cancers. 2. Somatic Inherited: In contrast, the other type of inherited mutation is only present in that person – and not their family. So, with this kind, there is no previous family history of cancer. Most cancers are caused by this type of inheritance. Inherited Mutations with NO Family History This type of inherited mutation occurs when the...
Read Article

A notepad with a list of new year's resolutions for 2019 written with blank spaces.

5 New Year’s Resolutions to Make When You Have Cancer

Published by on January 5, 2019 2 Comments

It’s that time of year again…time for the annual barrage of “New Year, New You” articles, memes, and discussions around the water cooler. If you have cancer, though, this year is probably looking a bit different. The typical New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, start running, cut out gluten, or floss daily don’t seem that important. You have one goal and wish for this year – and that’s to survive cancer. Our client care team at CTOAM has put together a list of things you can do this year that are scientifically proven to increase your chances of beating cancer. So that you can look forward to many more years of making New Year’s resolutions and spending time with your loved ones. 1. Get a...
Read Article

A DNA strand overlaps a close-up of a cancer cell.

How Genomic Profiling Increases Cancer Patients’ Chances of Survival!

Published by on October 3, 2018 2 Comments

In nearly a decade of helping people recover from cancer, CTOAM’s precision oncology specialists have never seen two people with exactly the same cancer. Our specialists have seen people with breast, lung, brain, and prostate cancer, as well as other types of cancer – and, even within the same category, no two people have had the exact same mutations driving their cancer. Therefore, each of our patients has required a unique combination of advanced targeted therapies and nutraceuticals, and sometimes in addition to other treatment interventions. In order to have the best chance of recovery from cancer, your treatment must target your unique genetic mutations. And for that, you need genomic profiling and Precision Oncology’s gene-based approach to cancer care. What is Cancer? Cancer is...
Read Article

Two women smile for a photo, one has cancer and a scarf around her head.

What if Better Cancer Treatment Already Exists?

Published by on September 30, 2018 | Share your thoughts

What if there were already better cancer treatment options? Better than standard chemotherapy and radiation? There are! We now have more accurate tests and treatments that help cancer patients live longer than standard cancer care. These treatments have already been approved for use in Canada and have recently become part of standard care in the UK. They’re also already used in most top cancer hospitals in the US, like the Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson, and John Hopkins. But, most are not yet available through Canadian public healthcare. It could take upwards of 10 years for these lifesaving treatments to become offered through Canadian public healthcare. That’s where CTOAM comes in. Cancer Treatment Options and Management (CTOAM) is a Canada-based company that specializes in providing Precision Oncology...
Read Article

A smiling man raises his arms joyfully while across from his smiling doctor in an office.

Why You NEED a PET/CT Scan | Newsletter Issue 6

Published by on September 10, 2018 | Share your thoughts

The more you know about cancer care and what your options are, the more options you’ll have and the more confident you can be in the treatment choices that you are making – and that includes understanding the benefits of getting a PET/CT scan. CTOAM exists to support cancer patients around the globe to access the very best cancer care available, from anywhere in the world, right where you live. Helping cancer patients and their families to be aware of all their options is crucial to our goal of saving lives and improving cancer care for everyone. One choice you have the power to make, at any stage in your diagnosis or treatment, that has soundly proven its benefit to every stage of cancer care,...
Read Article

A close-up of a doctor's hands holding a sign that says Cancer Treatment

The Four Pillars of Precision Oncology | Newsletter Issue 4

Published by on September 10, 2018 | Share your thoughts

Precision Oncology has four distinct steps, also referred to as The Four Pillars of Precision Oncology. Clinical cancer research shows that when cancer patients include just one of these Precision Oncology tools the results are improved survival rates over standard cancer care, with greatly reduced treatment side effects. Now, what do you think the outcome would be when all four of these life-saving advances are applied to your cancer treatment? In fact, the data shows that the full Precision Oncology process results in greatly prolonged survival rates, even for patients with inoperable cancers and those who have already exhausted all standard care options. And for those who begin their cancer treatment with Precision Oncology, the outcomes are literally off the charts. Check out Issue 4 of the CTOAM newsletter to explore the Four Pillars of...
Read Article

A scientist with googles looks at different vials of blood.

Liquid Biopsies for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring | Newsletter Issue 3

Published by on September 10, 2018 2 Comments

Each year, there are many new advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Liquid Biopsies (tests to determine the presence and type of cancer, using blood instead of a tumour tissue sample) are a new tool in managing cancer and can be used in real-time diagnosis, treatment monitoring, checking for recurrences, and determining if new targeted therapies such as immunotherapy are right for you. Check out Issue 3 of the CTOAM newsletter to see the top life-saving advancements in cancer! Or, read more below. Do you want to have life-saving information delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our monthly newsletter! Top Life Saving Advancements in Cancer | Liquid Biopsies LIQUID BIOPSIES To see real life success stories on how CTOAM has used Liquid Biopsies to change lives, take...
Read Article

An attractive woman sits on a field during sunset with her two young suns, smiling.

8 Ways to Advocate for Your Cancer Care – This Could Save Your Life

Published by on June 1, 2018 3 Comments

Do you really need a cancer care advocate or is the basic care you receive from your public oncologist good enough? Read on to find out the truth about standard care and decide for yourself. Joan was 45 years old when she was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic melanoma. Her public oncologist gave her the option of standard chemotherapy, which, according to studies, would’ve given her approximately less than a year to live. Since her disease would not respond to standard treatments, her oncologist told her that there were no other treatment options. She was told to get her affairs in order. But Joan wasn’t ready to accept this – so she and her husband reached out to CTOAM. Our cancer experts helped them to access the...
Read Article

An older woman stands peacefully beside a lake in autumn.

Why Precision Oncology Works – Even if Some Reports on Targeted Therapies Say Otherwise

Published by on May 1, 2018 | Share your thoughts

Why You Should Trust Precision Oncology  Precision oncology and, more specifically, targeted therapies have been under attack since their inception. There’ve been numerous studies and reports claiming that targeted therapies have NOT lived up to expectations and are still inferior to standard therapies. However, a more detailed look at these so-called ineffective studies reveals many design flaws in their methodologies. When the data is presented accurately, precision oncology produces significant benefits in both overall survival and reduced side effects for cancer patients. Problem #1: Using Targeted Drugs Without the Required Biomarker One issue with many studies involving targeted therapies is the use of targeted therapies without prior testing to ensure the relevant biomarker is present in that patient’s tumour tissue. While this may seem like...
Read Article

A red DNA floats vertically in front of a sea of close-up blood cells.

5 Reasons Why You Need Liquid Biopsies for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Published by on April 2, 2018 | Share your thoughts

Recently the CBC ran an article called, “Blood Test for Early Detection of 8 Cancers Looks Promising.” The article went on to discuss how this promising new blood-based liquid biopsy was able to identify cancers in people. However, as is typical with new medical advancements, the article requires some further clarification and explanation. The article described the results of the test like this: “The blood tests found about 70% of eight common types of cancer in the 1,005 patients. The rates varied depending on the type – lower for breast tumours but high for ovarian, liver, and pancreatic ones”. The author went on to explain that the liquid biopsy test detects mutations in 16 genes tied to cancer. And it also measures eight proteins that are...
Read Article