Hope in the Details: How Heather’s Biomarker Opened New Treatment Paths

When Heather Dykes walked into the ER with stomach pain and a low-grade fever, she had no idea it would be the start of a life-changing journey. 

A scan revealed a mass in her colon and metastases in her liver. Soon after, she received a stage IV (metastatic) colorectal cancer diagnosis. 

But what began as a whirlwind of surgeries, chemotherapy, and scans became something else—something more hopeful—thanks to one critical piece of information: her KRAS G12D biomarker.

A Life Interrupted — But Not Halted

Heather, 54, lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where she’s worked for years at a local school district. She’s been married for over three decades, has two grown children, and recently became a grandmother. Life was also full of other good things: travel, food, art, and planning trips to New York or Italy.

Then came cancer.

“I didn’t have a lot of symptoms,” Heather said. “Some changes in bowel movements, stomach pain — but I thought it was just coffee on an empty stomach.” 

After emergency surgery to remove her colon, Heather began intensive chemotherapy to shrink the tumors on her liver. Over the course of a year, she completed 22 rounds. The treatment worked: the largest liver tumor shrank significantly, allowing for targeted radiation.

But another small tumor appeared. The cancer, and Heather’s determination to beat it, was persistent.

Why Biomarker Testing Mattered

About six months into treatment, Heather underwent biomarker testing — a decision that would change the direction of her care. The results revealed that her cancer was driven by a KRAS G12D mutation, one of the more challenging variants to treat with conventional therapies.

“Knowing my biomarker gave me and my care team more information,” Heather said. “Chemo worked, but knowing my mutation made us start talking seriously about a clinical trial.”

Her oncologist began monitoring trials that might be a fit. After nearly a year on a waiting list, Heather is now next in line to enroll in a targeted therapy trial.

“It feels like a door is finally opening,” Heather said. “This trial gives me another option — and with that, a lot of hope."

Confidence, Advocacy, and a Personalized Path

Heather’s story highlights a powerful truth in modern cancer care: knowledge is power. Biomarker testing didn’t just identify a mutation — it expanded her treatment landscape.

“I feel more confident in my decisions now,” Heather said. “If I didn’t know about my biomarker, I’d probably just stick with chemo and radiation. But this gives me hope that I’m going in the right direction.”

For patients with hard-to-treat mutations like KRAS G12D, clinical trials may offer the best chance for extended survival and improved quality of life. Heather sees it not just as a next step, but as a hopeful one.

“You're always looking for some hope, maybe not a cure, but something that helps you live longer, with a good quality of life,” she said. “And I’ve met people — people living with stage IV for years — because of clinical trials. That gives me a lot of hope that this can work for me, too.”

Advice for Others: Be Informed, Be Involved

Heather believes deeply in advocating for yourself and staying engaged in your care. 

“You have to trust your oncology team, but also follow your instincts,” Heather said. “Ask about biomarker testing. Learn from other people’s stories. It might help you find the best answer for you.”

She’s honest about the emotional weight of cancer, including the guilt of missing work or of leaning on loved ones. Her husband has attended every appointment. Her doctors have made space for her career. And she remains hopeful, not just because of what she’s endured, but because of what she now knows.

“Biomarker testing gave me direction,” Heather said. “It gave me a plan. And it gave me hope.”

The story was developed with support from: