Precision Medicine

Because of exciting medical advances, some cancer treatments can now be tailored to your specific cancer cells. In the Sutter Health network, precision medicine treatments use biologic agents to prevent or slow tumors and stimulate your own immune system to fight off disease.

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Precision medicine describes a new form of medical care based on genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. In 2003, scientists completed work on the Human Genome Project, and since then human genetics have driven the development of more precise ways to attack disease—especially cancer.

Working with new understanding and resources, cancer doctors in the Sutter Health network offer a variety of advanced treatments designed to attack your specific cancer. They can prescribe targeted therapies that prevent tumors from developing new blood vessels; and immunotherapies that enlist your own immune system in the fight against lung cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma and leukemia.

Cancer doctors in the Sutter Health network also use hormone therapy to treat and prevent prostate, breast, endometrial, adrenocortical and gastrointestinal cancers from returning. Through genetic testing, counselors in the Sutter Health network are helping families understand genetic defects that put you and your loved ones at greater risk for some cancers.

Cancer experts in the Sutter Health network currently participate in many clinical trials that are expected to produce effective new precision treatments and therapies. The precision medicine movement offers cancer patients a very good reason to be optimistic about their personal fight against cancer.