GO2 for Lung Cancer, in partnership with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and other health advocacy groups, is supporting a campaign to reduce health disparities by working to ensure equitable access to comprehensive biomarker testing. This campaign aims to improve coverage for and access to biomarker testing across insurance types nationwide. The end-goal is to get comprehensive biomarker testing coverage legislation passed in states across the country. 

In November of 2022, Tammie Middleton represented GO2 for Lung Cancer in advocating before the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), a national group of state legislators who work on insurance issues. She urged them to endorse the model legislation on comprehensive biomarker testing. Tammie testified before NCOIL about her personal experience with biomarker testing and the impact that such testing has had on her experience with lung cancer.  

Tammie was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in December of 2018 when she was 46 years old. A CT scan taken during an ER visit revealed a large tumor in her left lung. After two tissue biopsies failed to identify her type of lung cancer, her oncologist decided to order Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) testing, which utilizes a blood sample to determine if there are any lung cancer specific biomarkers present. This testing confirmed a diagnosis of ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer.  

Based on this diagnosis, Tammie immediately started a targeted therapy developed to specifically treat ALK+ lung cancer. Soon after starting this targeted therapy her health improved. She was stable on that treatment until April 2021 when a new spot appeared on her adrenal gland. Tammie underwent NGS biomarker testing for a second time, again using a liquid blood biopsy which confirmed that there were no new mutations. Her doctor treated the new spot with radiation and Tammie was able to stay on the same targeted therapy for her ALK+ lung cancer. Since that round of radiation, Tammie’s cancer has remained stable.  

Tammie has been fortunate to have access to good care at a cancer center with the resources and knowledge to give her the testing and treatment she needed. That is not the case for every patient. Excellent cancer care should not be left to chance or circumstance. All patients should have access to the testing needed to best direct their care.  

When Tammie was asked why testifying about her experiences with biomarker testing was important to her, she said, “I advocate for other patients to have access to the same testing I have had and they need.” Comprehensive (NGS) biomarker testing has provided Tammie stability over the last four years while new treatments are developed. Most importantly, she’s been able to spend more time with her friends, family and dog! 

If you are a patient interested in sharing your own experiences with biomarker testing as part of GO2’s partnership with ACS CAN, please send us the following information: Name, age, where you are located and occupation; short summary of your lung cancer experiences (diagnosis, staging, treatment); short summary of your experiences with biomarker testing and how this is impacting your treatment and health. Please email the information to  yourcommunity@go2.org. We will use this statement as well as your location in the country to match you with upcoming ACS CAN  advocacy events as they arise.