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Duarte Today
By the People, for the People
Tumor Genomic Testing Often Delayed, Underused
Researchers find over 40% of advanced cancer patients don't receive critical genomic testing, with disparities in access and timing.
Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:51am
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Genomic testing can unlock personalized cancer treatments, but access remains unequal for many patients.Duarte TodayA new study found that more than 40% of US patients with advanced cancers did not receive any genomic testing, and those who did often faced significant delays, especially patients who were Black, Hispanic, or low-income. The researchers say standardizing insurance coverage and increasing awareness among physicians are key to addressing these gaps in care.
Why it matters
Tumor genomic testing is critical for identifying targeted therapies that can significantly improve outcomes for patients with advanced cancers. However, this study highlights persistent disparities in access to this essential diagnostic tool, putting certain patient populations at a disadvantage.
The details
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed electronic health records from over 63,000 US cancer patients diagnosed with advanced or metastatic breast, colorectal, lung, pancreatic, or prostate cancers between 2018 and 2022. It found that 41.3% of patients received no genomic testing at all. The proportion without testing ranged from 59.7% for metastatic breast cancer to 33% for metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients also faced significant delays, with median time to testing ranging from under 1 month for lung cancer to 11 months for prostate cancer. Disparities emerged, with Black and Hispanic patients, as well as those with Medicaid coverage or lower socioeconomic status, experiencing longer wait times.
- The study analyzed data from patients diagnosed with advanced cancers between 2018 and 2022.
- Genomic testing rates improved over this period, with 50.2% of metastatic pancreatic cancer patients diagnosed in 2018 receiving testing within a year, compared to 62.2% of those diagnosed in 2022.
The players
Umang Swami, MD
Senior author of the study and researcher at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Stephen Gruber, MD, PhD
Director of the Center for Precision Medicine at the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California.
What they’re saying
“We should do this testing at the first opportunity.”
— Umang Swami, MD, Researcher
“Too few [patients] got the test they needed, and access is unequal.”
— Stephen Gruber, MD, PhD, Director, Center for Precision Medicine
What’s next
Researchers and experts say standardizing insurance coverage for genomic testing and increasing awareness among physicians about its importance are key next steps to improve access and utilization.
The takeaway
This study highlights persistent disparities in access to essential genomic testing for patients with advanced cancers, putting certain populations at a disadvantage and limiting their access to potentially life-extending targeted therapies. Addressing these gaps through policy changes and provider education will be crucial to ensuring equitable cancer care.
