Genetic testing at AdventHealth alerts woman, doctors to aggressive cancer before it develops

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  • Kristi Powers
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Samantha Arceneaux and her family on a recent cruise to the Bahamas in March 2023.
Samantha Arceneaux and her family on a recent cruise to the Bahamas in March 2023.

Samantha Arceneaux’s daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2021, which led to her and husband getting genetic testing to help better understand their daughter’s diagnosis. She had no idea this genetic test would not only change her life, but possibly save it. The test revealed she carries a genetic variant that virtually guarantees she will develop an aggressive form of thyroid cancer at some point in her life.

Wes Walker Headshot
Dr. Wes Walker is the director of genomics and personalized health at AdventHealth Central Florida Division.

“As soon as something starts developing, they'll know to remove my thyroid while it's still very early and before it ever gets to stage 4,” Arceneaux told Florida Trend magazine. “It was definitely eye opening to know I have this cancer risk, because there was no family history.”

Arceneaux’s story is a good example of how genetic testing can be used for prevention and treatment of cancer.

“Probably in the next 10 to 15 years, it’ll become standard for all newborns,” said Dr. Wes Walker, director of genomics and personalized health at AdventHealth Central Florida Division, during a recent Florida Trend interview.

As a result of Samantha’s test, “We’re able to target that specific molecular abnormality with a specific medication,” Walker says. “It's treating it with a laser as opposed to a hammer, which can cause lots of collateral damage. The laser is much more precise.”

Learn more about Samantha’s story and other ways genetic testing is being used at AdventHealth.

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