Posted 3/26/2025

Understanding NGS Testing: A Nurse’s Guide to Why It Matters for Cancer PatientsBy the Leal Health Nurse Team At Leal Health, we speak with hundreds of cancer patients every week. […]

Understanding NGS Testing: A Nurse’s Guide to Why It Matters for Cancer Patients
By the Leal Health Nurse Team

At Leal Health, we speak with hundreds of cancer patients every week. One question that comes up more and more is: “What is NGS testing, and do I need it?”

If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with cancer—or if you’re facing a recurrence—this is an important question to ask. As your Leal Health nurse team, we’re here to help break it down for you in simple terms.

What Is NGS Testing?

NGS stands for Next-Generation Sequencing. It’s a type of test that looks deeply into the DNA of your tumor to understand the genetic mutations driving your cancer. Every tumor is different. Even patients with the same type of cancer can have very different mutations—and that means they may respond differently to treatments.

NGS testing is sometimes also called comprehensive genomic profiling or a molecular profile.

Why Does It Matter?

NGS testing can help identify:

  • Targetable mutations that match with specific drugs or clinical trials

  • Whether your tumor might respond to immunotherapy

  • Whether your cancer is likely to be more aggressive or less likely to respond to standard treatment

In other words, this test can uncover treatment options that might not be considered otherwise. That’s why we often say that NGS testing helps personalize your treatment plan—not just treat “lung cancer” or “colon cancer,” but your specific cancer.

Who Should Consider NGS Testing?

In general, we recommend asking your oncologist about NGS testing if:

  • You have advanced or metastatic cancer

  • Your cancer has come back after initial treatment

  • You’ve run out of standard treatment options

  • You want to explore clinical trials

NGS testing is also becoming more common in earlier-stage cancers, especially when doctors want to tailor adjuvant therapy after surgery.

How Is It Done?

NGS can be performed on a tumor biopsy or a liquid biopsy (a blood sample). If you’ve already had surgery or a biopsy, the lab can often use tissue from that sample. If not, a new sample may be needed.

The test is typically ordered by your oncologist and sent to a specialized lab. Results can take about 2–3 weeks.

Will Insurance Cover It?

Many insurance plans—including Medicare—do cover NGS testing for advanced cancers, especially if the test is FDA-approved or meets national guidelines. If cost is a concern, let us know—we can help you understand your options, including financial assistance programs offered by testing companies.

How Leal Health Helps

At Leal Health, we help patients like you understand whether NGS testing could unlock new options. If you’ve already had testing done, we can help interpret the results. If not, we can guide you through how to talk to your oncologist or request a test.

Our mission is simple: to help you find every possible treatment option available today—including clinical trials that are designed for patients with the exact mutation your tumor may carry.

If you have questions about NGS testing or want help figuring out your next steps, our nurse team is here to support you. You’re not in this alone.

Warmly,
The Leal Health Nurse Team
Oncology Nurses with decades of experience, here to help you navigate your cancer journey

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