Advancing Cancer Care: Latest Development in Oncology Research

Cancer is one of the world’s biggest killers, with an estimated 10 million deaths per year due to this devasting disease. However, there is some good news, as medical advances against cancer are taking massive strides forward, with new technologies helping to pave the way for more successful treatments.

Here are five recent developments in oncology research that demonstrate just how far cancer care has come.

1. Testing to identify 18 early-stage cancers

New research in the United States has come up with a test that claims to be able to identify 18 different early-stage cancers. Known as the Novelna’s test, it works by analyzing a patient’s blood protein.

More cost-effective and less invasive than the standard testing methods, in a screening of 440 people with cancer, the test correctly identified 93% of stage 1 cancers in men and 84% in women.

2. NHS cancer treatment injection

In the UK, the National Health Service is to be the first country in the world to make use of a cancer treatment injection. Taking only seven minutes to administer, rather than the hour it currently takes to have the same drug via intravenous infusion, this drug is used to treat cancers including breast and lung.

This injection is designed to not only speed up patient treatment but also free up more time for medical professionals.

3. Precision oncology

Precision oncology has been hailed as “the best new weapon to defeat cancer” and involves the study of the genetic makeup and molecular characteristics of cancer tumors. More specifically, it looks at changes in cells that might be causing cancer to grow and spread which allows for a more personalized treatment plan.

So far, 13,000 tumor samples have been taken from cancer patients and used to accurately pinpoint effective treatment.

4. Artificial intelligence and machine learning

In India, World Economic Forum partners are using artificial intelligence and machine learning to make significant advancements in cancer care. For example, they are using artificial intelligence-based profiling to help screen for some of the most common forms of cancer, including breast cancer and lung cancer.

AI technology can also be used to better analyze X-rays and to identify cancer in places where imaging experts cannot and machine learning technologies can be used to identify patterns and anomalies in health records, helping to better recognize the signs and symptoms of leukemia and other cancers.

5. New prediction capabilities

Lung cancer is one of the most prolific types of cancer, killing more people in the United States than the next three deadliest cancers combined. This is predominantly because it is hard to detect in its early stages.

However, with the use of new technologies, scientists have been able to predict a person’s likelihood of developing lung cancer up to six years in advance. Using complex imaging data, they can forecast both short and long-term lung cancer risk, allowing for more effective treatment plans.

Final thoughts

The future of cancer care has never looked more promising, with groundbreaking new therapies and diagnostic tools. If you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed with cancer or has been battling this disease for some time, it is worth speaking to your oncologist about new developments to see if there are any that are worth looking into.