With advances in research, we now understand some of the oncogene driver mutations and other alterations that occur in lung cancer. The development of therapies targeting these modifications has had a big impact within the community. However, many people who would benefit from PM approaches are not benefiting. The fragmented nature of the delivery of PM in lung cancer can lead to very different outcomes: it can mean the difference between life and death, and between poor and good quality of life.

Examples of the consequences of fragmentation: People whose tumors should have undergone testing, have not due to lack of testing availability, resulting in poorer outcomes due to substandard treatment options. People who have experienced a poor initial prognosis have had their outcome change significantly due to the identification of a targetable alteration and access to appropriate therapy. Testing is available but not the drug (and vice versa), resulting in poorer outcomes due to substandard treatment options. Poor communication of results so that people cannot reach out to appropriate oncogene‐driven communities for support. Pressure being placed on patients having to know everything―which adds to stress rather than a need for awareness being stressed for both patients and HCPs. Pressure being placed on patients to take treatment quickly (as most are diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer) can be exacerbated by the long turnaround time for test results, and can impact future trial enrollment and access to targeted drugs (as some may be available only in a certain line setting). Many instances of people living with stable disease for many years―some now with no evidence of disease―because of access to appropriate therapy. Many believe they have been “lucky” to access testing, but it should not be about luck―it should be about best standard of care.