'It's still working': More are living with cancer as era of targeted drugs takes hold

Key Points:

• Advances in targeted cancer therapies and genetic understanding have significantly improved survival rates, with 7 out of 10 cancer patients now living at least five years post-diagnosis, up from less than half in the 1970s.
• New drugs that focus on specific genetic mutations in tumors, such as those targeting the RAS gene or rare EGFR mutations, are helping patients live longer and manage cancer as a chronic condition.
• The American Society of Clinical Oncology reported a 25% drop in cancer deaths among people aged 15 to 49 since 1990 and highlighted promising trial results for drugs treating pancreatic, skin, and blood cancers.
• Despite progress, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the U.S., with ongoing research emphasizing the importance of full genomic profiling to tailor treatments and improve patient outcomes.
• Patient stories, such as Cathy Smithwick and Michelle Vacca, illustrate how personalized medicine and continuous testing for genetic markers enable long-term management of cancer while maintaining quality of life.