CTOAM (Cancer Treatment Options & Management Inc.) was founded with the specific purpose of helping cancer patients access precision oncology services that reflect the unique molecular features of their cancer rather than a generalized treatment pathway. According to co-founder Michelle Morand, the organization was built around the most current research in cancer care, beginning with understanding what is happening at the molecular level, not simply following standardized protocols.
"From the earliest days, CTOAM focused on providing patients with advanced diagnostic insight, personalized research and treatment access that could support more informed decisions," Morand explains. "Many patients arrive after feeling uncertain about their options or sensing that additional answers may exist beyond what they have been offered by their Oncologist." CTOAM's role, from her perspective, is to help clarify those possibilities through a more thorough diagnosis and treatment access support.
At the core of CTOAM's work, Morand explains, is a precision oncology process that integrates multiple diagnostic tools into a single, coordinated pathway. The company supports tumor DNA and RNA sequencing, whole genome liquid biopsies for real-time monitoring, and advanced imaging, including PET-CT scans, depending on what each individual case requires. Morand notes that the intention is not to overwhelm patients with testing, but to identify the most appropriate tools early, so decisions can be made with clarity rather than trial and error.
A distinguishing feature of CTOAM's model is its in-house laboratory capability. According to Morand, this allows the organization to design personalized molecular tests and treatment plans with tighter control over testing quality, turnaround time, and data interpretation. This internal infrastructure, she explains, emerged out of necessity when existing diagnostic options did not fully answer the questions patients were bringing forward.
CTOAM's approach is shaped by years of direct patient work. Morand explains how, over time, the team encountered situations where available tests were too limited in scope to support truly personalized care. "Rather than adapting patients to fit those constraints, CTOAM focused on expanding diagnostic depth," she says. "That mindset eventually led to the development of our Liquid RNA testing platform, designed to support earlier detection and more comprehensive molecular insight."
From Morand's perspective, Liquid RNA testing reflects CTOAM's broader philosophy. While DNA-based diagnostic approaches focus on identifying whether certain genetic mutations are present, RNA analysis adds a critical layer by indicating how actively each of those genes is expressed. This distinction, referred to as gene expression level, is key to evaluating treatment relevance and patient response with more confidence.
Importantly, CTOAM positions its services around a patient's right to know all their options and to have the support they need to access their chosen treatment plan. Morand emphasizes that patients are not moved from provider to provider in search of answers. Instead, the organization works to integrate diagnostics, interpretation, and clinical guidance into a single process. The objective, she notes, is to reduce uncertainty and administrative burden during a time when patients are already managing significant emotional and physical stress.
As mentioned, CTOAM's patient-centered model also extends to advocacy. According to Morand, whether a patient chooses an integrative or exclusively allopathic approach, a key part of the organization's role involves helping patients and their care teams interpret complex test results and understand how emerging research may apply to their situation. This includes identifying treatment options that align more closely with a patient's molecular profile and supporting conversations with clinicians about access to the most beneficial therapies.
"While CTOAM has historically worked directly with patients, its experience has been shaped by close collaboration with clinicians, laboratories, and researchers worldwide," Morand explains. "This global perspective allows the organization to draw from a broad range of scientific developments without being tied to a single system or protocol." That independence, in her view, supports more flexible and patient-specific decision-making.
Throughout its evolution, Morand notes, CTOAM has remained focused on precision oncology as a practical service rather than an abstract concept. She points out that every diagnostic advance they have developed, including Liquid RNA testing, emerged in response to real patient needs rather than market trends. The emphasis, she explains, has consistently been on asking what information would most meaningfully support a patient's care at a given moment.
As precision oncology continues to evolve, CTOAM's work reflects an effort to translate complex science into accessible, patient-relevant guidance. According to Morand, the organization's mission remains grounded in helping individuals understand their options with greater confidence and clarity. "Everything we have built started with a patient asking for better answers," she says. "Our responsibility has always been to listen carefully and respond with the best science and support available."
