MACEDONIA, Ohio — John Bosco admits he's vain about his hair.

“Whenever get a haircut, I have to make sure they texturize it properly. I know it’s turning gray,” Bosco joked about his almost completely gray head of hair.

So, when he began radiation and chemotherapy treatment in 2021 after being diagnosed with parotid, or salivary gland cancer, losing his hair was a big deal.

He said his bathroom sink was beginning to be covered in his hair and the chemotherapy wasn’t even working. The cancer had spread to his lungs and was still progressing.

That’s when his doctor recommended biomarker testing.

Dr. Emrulla Yilmaz, director of Precision Oncology at Cleveland Clinic, said the testing is FDA approved and can offer great insight into how to best treat a patient.

The test looks at cells from a biopsy or simple blood work. It tests for genes in the cancer cells.

Despite the tremendous upside of the test, insurance companies are not required to pay for it. A new bill may change that.

Yilmaz said the Ohio Statehouse is considering a bill to require insurance companies to pay for it.

Bosco said had it not been for the test, he would have spent more time in and out of the hospital from the side effects alone.

In addition to regaining his hair, the biomarker test allowed for Bosco to have better targeted treatment. He has fewer side effects and the cancer has stopped spreading.

Bosco now takes a regimen of oral medication at home. He’s hopeful the bill will pass so others can benefit from biomarker testing.