Cancer Tests to guide treatment, monitor response, and estimate recurrence risk
Cancer tests can sometimes help answer three important questions: Which treatment is most likely to work? Is the current treatment having an effect? What is the likely risk of recurrence? This page is an overview of the main categories of cancer-related tests that patients may encounter, including chemosensitivity testing, recurrence-risk assays, monitoring tests, early-detection tests, and genetic sequencing. Its purpose is not to promote any one provider, but to explain what these tests are designed to do and where they may fit into decision-making.
Some of these tests are already used in mainstream oncology for specific situations, particularly certain recurrence-risk assays in breast and prostate cancer.
Tests that may help choose treatment
Chemosensitivity Tests reveals which anti-cancer drugs (and natural substances) are effective at killing each patient’s cancer cells and which agents are not effective. The most promising drug regimen can be selected for each cancer patient, increasing the odds for treatment success. At the same time, ineffective drugs are avoided.
See Chemosensitivity Tests
Tests that estimate recurrence risk
Tests to predict recurrence would help find people who need more monitoring after treatment and provide a chance to find and treat them earlier.
Tests include: Oncotype DX® Prostate Cancer Assay and Oncotype DX® Breast Cancer Assay. See Recurrence Tests
Tests that monitor response
Tests that monitor your response to treatment can save you precious time and give you the chance to change to a different treatment if the current one is not working.
See Treatment Response Tests
Tests aimed at early detection
Early cancer detection will give you lots of time to change your diet and lifestyle before the condition has time to develop into full blown cancer.
Tests include ONCOblot® Test and Nagalase Blood Test
See Cancer Detection Tests
Genetic sequencing
Tissue samples (blood in some cases) from biopsies can be genetically sequenced to aid treatment decisions. For example, drugs that are useful for fighting your cancer may be revealed.
See Genetic Sequencing Tests
Last updated January 2026