A researcher working with a test tube in a lab.

Precision oncology focuses on treating patients’ individual cancer needs

New initiatives at UW Health seek to highlight and streamline patient access to individualized, data-driven cancer care.

UW Health

Facilitating greater connections between new treatment research at UW Carbone Cancer Center and opportunities in patient care is a top focus of the newly-created Precision Health division of UW Health.

“The focus is figuring out ways to expand services and options available to our patients,” said Elizabeth Kearney, Senior Director of Precision Health at UW Health.

Cancer is driven by genetic changes, either those inherited or those developed during a person’s lifetime. Kearney said understanding the unique make-up of each patient’s cancer, done through what’s called a somatic tumor analysis, helps oncology care teams decide which therapy has the best chance of benefitting the patient. Read more …