Can you imagine a world where we’ve defeated cancer?
A world where a diagnosis no longer comes with a poor prognosis?
Although it sounds like fantasy, the reality might be closer than we think.
Right now, world-leading scientists in the UK are homing in on ways we can outsmart and overcome cancer.
Dr Samuel Godfrey, Senior Research Information Manager at Cancer Research UK, says: ‘There are so many exciting clinical trials going on right now, and some of these have the potential to change the outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients across the globe.’
But it’s not just new drugs that could make a huge difference.
Dr Godfrey says: ‘One of the best ways we can beat cancer is by diagnosing it earlier. Researchers are exploring new ways we can detect pre-cancerous cells, so they can be nipped in the bud before they even turn cancerous.
‘Blood tests that help us catch cancer earlier and choose the perfect treatments for it are also being developed, and these could hopefully quickly become a standard tool for GPs.
‘This could make a huge difference for those who need regular scans to monitor their cancer. Instead of saying to someone: “Your cancer’s back — now we need to treat it,” doctors might say: “We’ve seen signs that your cancer’s going to return, and we think this course of treatment will be best to prevent it.”
‘We also have a lot of clinical trials around immunotherapy, a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system to fight cancer, which would be a game changer.’
So, when are we likely to see real change?
‘Ultimately, if everything went as well as it could with the right healthcare infrastructure, we’d be close to three in four people surviving cancer today,’ says Dr Godfrey. ‘But with research continuing to evolve at the pace it is, important attitudinal shifts taking place and awareness increasing, this figure is achievable by 2034.
‘We’re lucky in this country that we fund among the best — if not the best — cancer research in the world. We’ve done some phenomenal things and we’ve got more in the pipeline.
‘Young children now won’t think of cancer like we think of cancer when they’re older. By the time they’re grown up, it will be manageable and treatable.
‘We’re never going to eradicate cancer, but we’re aiming to get to the point where very few people have their lives cut short by it.’
Edited by Stephanie May
● Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving lives through research. Find out more at cancerresearchuk.org
● If you’d like to support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity’s appeal for a new cancer research and treatment facility, visit: royalmarsden.org/appeal