Technologies that will revolutionize cancer care

COVID-19 has had disastrous impacts on cancer patients, resulting in a large number of delayed diagnosis and treatments as a result of COVID-19's restrictions on health systems

FREMONT, CA: In 2019, around 23.6 million new cancer cases and 10 million cancer deaths were reported worldwide, representing a 26.3 percent rise in new cases and a 20.9 percent increase in fatalities when compared to 2010. Furthermore, COVID-19 has had disastrous impacts on cancer patients, resulting in a large number of delayed diagnosis and treatments as a result of COVID-19's restrictions on health systems. As the pandemic subsides, worldwide societies must re-prioritize, ensuring that cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care are of high quality and accessible to all. They believe that the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) can help mankind overcome some of the most pressing issues it faces today.

The World Economic Forum is collaborating with worldwide partners to decrease the gap in lung cancer-related premature death and to use innovative technology to improve and revolutionize cancer care in India. Six worldwide pioneers and thought leaders from the science community, public policy, and the corporate sector were asked to share their thoughts for the future of cancer to commemorate World Cancer Day.

While it may appear that they are expected to become accustomed to the hidden pandemic known as cancer, which should not be the case. Everyone should join together to confront this ever-increasing global health burden, just as they did with COVID-19. Three lessons must be learnt from the pandemic, first being that science is important. The worldwide cancer burden is increasing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The facts are clear; now it's time to plan for the future. One must recognize and treat cancer as early as possible in order to defeat it. Low-dose CT-enabled countrywide lung cancer screening programmes, for example, can help lower mortality rates.

Next is the importance of technology. Digitalization can help patients bridge the gap between rapidly rising medical evidence and a shrinking supply of medical professionals. They have had positive results with telemedicine for COVID-19 patients and AI-based assistants who assist clinicians in making decisions, for example. These skills can be applied to the treatment of cancer patients. Lastly, the team approach must be healthcare. For treating cancer patients, oncologists, surgeons, nurses, radiologists, the medtech and pharma industries and many more are involved. They are altogether on their way to eliminating the fear of cancer by transforming it into a manageable, chronic illness.