Why Ancestry Impacts Cancer Treatments
Genetic testing is a key part of modern cancer care. It can reveal mutations in your tumor that help doctors choose targeted treatments. But sometimes the results show a “variant of unknown significance,” or VUS. This means there’s a change in your DNA that researchers don’t fully understand yet, so doctors can’t say for sure whether a treatment would work.
This happens more often in people with African, Asian, Hispanic, or Indigenous ancestry—not because of biology, but because most genetic databases have historically focused on people of European descent. If your background is underrepresented in these databases, it’s more likely your test result will be unclear.
Doctors are working to better understand these unknown mutations by expanding research and improving how genetic data is interpreted. Over time, more variants will be decoded—and what’s uncertain today may lead to new treatment options tomorrow.
For now, if your test includes a VUS result, don’t be discouraged. It’s still valuable information, and you can ask your care team whether additional testing, clinical trials, or updated interpretations could help guide your treatment path. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering)
The Truth About Lung Cancer: It’s Not Just a Smoker’s Disease
Lung cancer continues to carry a painful stigma. Nearly 60% of patients say they’ve felt blamed or judged—by friends, family, or even medical professionals—because of the assumption that smoking caused their disease. But that’s not the full story. In fact, up to 20% of people diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. have never smoked, and more than half of all new cases occur in former smokers who quit years ago. Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer—and no one deserves to be blamed for it.
Stigma can do real harm. It’s been linked to higher rates of depression, delayed treatment, and reduced lung cancer screening, which can catch the disease early and save lives. Even those who want help quitting tobacco often avoid asking, fearing judgment. Thankfully, efforts are underway to shift the conversation. Clinicians, advocates, and researchers are working to reduce bias, improve communication, and build more inclusive cancer care. Learn more about what’s being done—and how we can all help change the narrative. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
Lung Cancer in Women and Non-Smokers: What to Know
Lung cancer diagnoses are declining overall—but among people under 65, women now have higher incidence rates than men, according to the American Cancer Society. Many of these women have never smoked. In fact, mutations like EGFR, which are more common in women and especially Asian women, are driving a growing number of lung cancer cases in people who don’t fit the traditional image of a patient. Yet outdated stereotypes still delay diagnosis: younger, nonsmoking women are often misdiagnosed with asthma or bronchitis, losing precious time before receiving life-saving treatment.
Thanks to advances in genetic testing, targeted therapies, and early screening, lung cancer survival is improving. But too many people—especially women—are still dismissed or overlooked simply because they don’t “look” like a typical patient. If you feel something is wrong, trust yourself. Anybody with lungs can get lung cancer. The sooner it’s caught, the better the outcome. Learn more about the symptoms, risk factors, and how to advocate for the care you deserve. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
