Question

Explain how a pharmacogenetic test can improve quality of life for a person with cancer.

Short answer

A pharmacogenetic test is a genetic test that can predict a patient's response to certain drugs. For cancer patients, these tests can provide information on which drugs may be more or less effective, and which might cause adverse side effects. This allows for a more targeted treatment, potentially avoiding ineffective medications and severe side effects, which can result in a better health outcome and an overall improved quality of life.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Pharmacogenetic Test

A pharmacogenetic test is a type of genetic test that predicts a patient's likelihood to experience an adverse event or not respond to a given drug. The test can determine if a patient has certain mutations or genetic variances which affect the function of enzymes, proteins, or factors involved in the metabolism and efficacy of drugs.

How the Pharmacogenetic Test Works

For this test, a medical professional will take a sample of blood or saliva, and send it to a laboratory. There, technicians analyze it, looking for specific genes, mutations, or proteins. Once the analysis is completed, the results will be sent back to your doctor, who will inform you about the findings.

Impact on Quality of Life

For cancer patients, knowing how their body will respond to certain cancer drugs can be lifesaving. If the test predicts a poor or non-response to a drug, or a high chance of severe adverse reactions, doctors can essentially avoid it and choose a better-suited medication. This means a patient could avoid ineffective treatments and severe side effects, resulting in a better response to therapy, lesser discomfort, faster recovery, and overall, an improved quality of life. Furthermore, it may also lessen the emotional and financial stress associated with trial and error of finding the right treatment.

Real World Example

For instance, some people with lung cancer may possess a mutation in the EGFR gene, which make them good candidates for drugs targeting this mutation, leading to a better treatment response. In this case, a pharmacogenetic test can help in identifying such patients, altering their treatment course for a better outcome.