Cancer survivors receiving treatment in North Carolina are the first VA patients to get no-cost genetic testing under a program that could cover a quarter-million veterans by 2022.

The testing, which is offered through a partnership between the VA and nonprofit health care system Sanford Health, will help providers determine appropriate medications and dosages for patients. The program began with cancer survivors in a pilot phase in Durham, N.C., this year, with plans to expand to 125 sites and include patients with other ailments - up to 250,000 veterans.

“Our goal is to continue delivering the best care possible for our nation's heroes,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said in a statement. “And this partnership helps us do just that.”

The VA Pharmacogenomics Action for Cancer Survivorship testing program, also known as PHASeR, is funded by a $25 million gift from philanthropist Denny Sanford, the health care system's namesake, and matching funds from Sanford Health.

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The test will help providers determine which medications will be most effective for patients, including decisions on prescribed medications for cardiovascular and mental health diseases and pain management. The tests also will improve access to appropriate treatments and reduce adverse drug reactions, per the VA.

Veterans interested in participating in upcoming tests can fill out a contact form at the Sanford Health website. The Sanford-VA partnership will be the largest such testing effort in the country, Sanford Health officials told USA Today.

Amanda Dolasinski is MOAA's staff writer. She can be reached at amandad@moaa.org. Follow her on Twitter @AmandaMOAA.