how one patient’s lung cancer care was shaped by biomarker testing
bev moir wants patients to understand all their treatment options
published feb 04, 2026
2 minute read
2 minute read
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this story is sponsored by
boehringer ingelheim (canada) ltd.
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when beverley moir, a lifelong non-smoker, developed a second lingering cold within six months, she was coughing so severely she thought she had strep throat. she booked an appointment with her family doctor, who ordered a chest x-ray.
“that decision of hers likely saved my life,” says the toronto, ont. resident.
after a series of further tests, bev was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. “i knew something was very serious, but i was definitely not expecting stage 4 lung cancer or to be told that this would kill me,” she says. “it was a shock, because i’ve always been healthy and have never smoked.”
her story reflects a growing reality in canada. each year, more than 32,000 canadians are diagnosed with lung cancer, and nearly 70 per cent of cases are detected at a late stage. lung cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in canada, and the leading cause of cancer-related death. while smoking remains the biggest risk factor, 15 to 25 per cent of lung cancer cases occur in people with no history of tobacco use.
once bev received the diagnosis, her doctor ordered a tissue biopsy to receive a biomarker test that clarified the particular mutation she had. biomarker testing looks for genetic changes in a tumour that are driving cancer growth. identifying those changes can help doctors select targeted therapies designed specifically for that mutation — a cornerstone of precision medicine.
in bev’s case, the biomarker testing showed she had an actionable mutation.
at the time, she didn’t fully grasp what that meant. “i didn’t understand what they were talking about, but i soon realized having an actionable biomarker meant they were able to select a targeted therapy for me, specific to my particular mutation.”
that targeted treatment changed everything.
“when i learned more about targeted therapy and precision medicine,” says bev, “i knew i was very fortunate to have had the test.”
sponsored by:
boehringer ingelheim (canada) ltd.
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today, bev is living with stage 4 lung cancer — a diagnosis once considered uniformly terminal — but benefiting from therapies that were unimaginable a decade ago.
her message to other patients is simple and urgent.
“for anyone in a similar situation, it’s really important that they appreciate the value of having a biopsy to determine their biomarker. biomarker testing was the best thing that was done for me,” she says.
as advances in precision medicine continue to reshape lung cancer care, bev’s experience highlights the benefits of early, comprehensive biomarker testing.
visit revealyourbiomarker.ca for support in talking to your health-care provider about biomarker testing. the more information you have about the genetic makeup of your tumour, the better informed you are to make treatment decisions.
this story was created by healthing content works, healthing.ca’s commercial content division, on behalf of boehringer ingelheim (canada) ltd.
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