John Ebers, a 46-year-old professional beekeeper, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer…

John Ebers, a 46-year-old professional beekeeper, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer after experiencing severe fatigue. Initially, he was not offered a genetic test that could have identified targeted drugs effective against his cancer. Instead, he was prescribed chemotherapy, which he found nearly unbearable.

According to experts like Christopher Lieu from the University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center, a genetic test could have revealed more effective and less toxic treatment options for Ebers. Targeted drugs are especially important for patients who respond poorly to chemotherapy or whose cancer has spread. However, tumor cells are often not tested, or appropriate drugs are not prescribed.