At Curewiki, we understand that behind every cancer statistic, there is a personal story. It is not just about the numbers; it is about the people, families, and communities affected. In 2020, cancer was a leading cause of death, contributing to 1 in 6 deaths globally. But within these numbers lies a beacon of hope, highlighting the relentless spirit of those affected and the progress made through prevention, detection, and new treatments.
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Prevention is better than cure
Knowledge gives people power. Many cancers arise from factors within our control—tobacco use, obesity, alcohol consumption, poor diet, and inactivity. At Curewiki, we are committed to sharing trustful insights on how simple lifestyle changes can make profound differences in cancer prevention.
Early detection the best chance to cure
Hope shines brightest when cancer is detected early. Emerging technologies, including sophisticated blood tests and liquid biopsies, are on the horizon to pinpoint cancer sooner. The deployment of AI-based diagnostic tools across Europe is making strides, offering the prospect of catching cancer at its most treatable stage.
New treatments keep improving the chances to cure
As researchers make significant steps forward in understanding cancer better, there is always hope brought by new treatments like immunotherapy. Not every new treatments lead to a definitive cure, but exploring new avenues such as vaccines and gene editing are needed for better care and sometimes cure and will transform the future outcome of cancer patients.
Immunotherapy: After a search of more than 100 years a breakthrough treatment that activates your immune system to fight your cancer, has been available for patients since 2011. For melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer, the chances for cure have gone up dramatically. Today, many studies are ongoing to test immune therapy in other cancers.
Gene editing: It is considered one of the most promising advancements in cancer treatments. While still in its early stages, research has shown significant promise in various aspects of cancer therapy.
Precision medicine: Researchers are making strides in tailoring treatments to specific genetic mutations and other biomarkers in a patient's cancer. In diseases like lung cancer, breast cancer, and chronic myelogenous leukemia, these also called “targeted therapies” represent an important treatment option.
Cell therapy advancements: A new generation of cell therapy using the patient's immune cells to fight their cancer is showing promising results. CAR-T cell therapy improved the chances for cure in certain groups of patients with blood cancer (leukemia). CAR-T cell therapy is complex and not suitable for all patients. Other cell therapies are being studied in patients.
It is important to note that these are just a few examples, and many other exciting research areas are ongoing.
Clinical trial access: Curewiki’s role in cancer care
With a vast array of cancer-focused clinical trials available, it is vital to increase participation to drive progress in treatment. Curewiki's innovative matching engine is pivotal, simplifying your process to connect with trials that align with your unique health profiles and conditions streamlining the journey towards potentially life-saving treatments.
A note to our readers
If cancer touches your life, talking to a specialized doctor is essential. Curewiki is here to provide support, information, and compassion on your journey. Remember, you are not navigating this path alone—we are with you.
Sources:
1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer
2. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
3. https://cancer-code-world.iarc.who.int/ecac/
4. https://enci.network/
