Cancer Prevention and Control: The Role of Technology
Cancer is a major public health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, cancer was the second leading cause of death globally in 2020, accounting for an estimated 10 million deaths. Therefore, cancer prevention and control is one of the crucial areas of public health research that aims to reduce the burden of cancer and improve the quality of life of people living with cancer.
One of the ways that public health research can contribute to cancer prevention and control is by harnessing the power of technology. Technology can help us with early diagnosis and effective prevention of cancer by providing innovative tools and solutions for screening, detection, treatment, and surveillance. Some examples of how technology can help us with cancer prevention and control are:
– Screening: Technology can enable more accessible and accurate screening for various types of cancer, such as cervical, breast, colorectal, and lung cancer. For instance, HPV testing using self-collected samples can increase the coverage of cervical cancer screening among women who face barriers to accessing health care services. Similarly, artificial intelligence (AI) can assist radiologists in interpreting mammograms and identifying suspicious lesions for breast cancer.
– Detection: Technology can also improve the detection of cancer at early stages, when treatment is more likely to be effective and less invasive. For example, liquid biopsy is a technique that analyzes blood samples for circulating tumor DNA or other biomarkers that indicate the presence of cancer. Liquid biopsy can potentially detect cancer before symptoms appear or conventional imaging methods can reveal it.
– Treatment: Technology can also enhance the treatment of cancer by offering more personalized and precise options for patients. For example, molecular profiling is a technology that analyzes the genetic makeup of a tumor and identifies specific mutations or alterations that drive its growth. Molecular profiling can help oncologists select the most appropriate targeted therapy or immunotherapy for each patient based on their tumor characteristics.
– Surveillance: Technology can also facilitate the surveillance of cancer trends and outcomes at population levels. For example, electronic health records (EHRs) are digital systems that store and share health information among different health care providers and settings. EHRs can provide valuable data for public health research on cancer incidence, survival, mortality, treatment patterns, and disparities.
In conclusion, technology plays a vital role in cancer prevention and control by offering innovative solutions for screening, detection, treatment, and surveillance. Public health research can leverage technology to advance our knowledge and practice of cancer prevention and control and ultimately reduce the burden of cancer on individuals and societies.
References
: World Health Organization. (2021). Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer
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