Technology has reshaped many industries over the years, and the medical sector is one of them. In the past, medical treatment could be very limited, but things have changed now thanks to the solutions that technology has brought, where patients can benefit from improved cancer care. And because of these advancements, people can finally have a viable answer to fight cancer, improving treatment in great measure. For example, cancer drugs have become more targeted and practical, enhancing the quality of life while reducing the side effects of the treatment.
Additionally, thanks to imaging technologies, it is now much easier to diagnose and detect cancer from the early stages while monitoring its progression better. Technology has also improved surgeries, and now surgeons can be more precise and accurate when removing cancerous tissue.
Technology improves cancer detention
Unfortunately, many patients with cancer die annually, mainly because this disease is quite hard to detect. Sadly, people realize they have cancer in advanced stages and when it is not so easy to treat it anymore. This is why technology has a vital role in cancer detection. For example, with the help of cancer screening, doctors could identify it much faster, offering patients the chance to treat and fight it.
Medical imaging, like CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays, are an excellent ally for doctors. They all help them see better the existing tumors, including smaller ones that may be harder to identify. Additionally, these technologies could reduce cancer misdiagnosis, as doctors will be able to offer patients accurate cancer detection.
Liquid biopsy can also help detect cancer in the early stages, as it identifies tumors with the help of the biomarkers found in the body’s fluids. Then re-biopsies will be needed over some time to readjust the treatment plan. Now, hospitals could also integrate special detection software, where AI could be utilized to search images for the signs of cancer.
Technology offers better and more efficient patient care
No one will ever want to have cancer, but unfortunately, it has become something that is met all over the world. So, we need something that will offer more efficient and better patient care, bringing individuals back to normal physical health. Cancer patients were initially required to go through a time-consuming treatment, which was also expensive, adding even more stress to the equation. However, now, thanks to technology, cancer treatment could be more efficient, improving patients’ lives and reducing some worries. For example, with the help of telehealth, patients can easily book virtual check-ins. Additionally, they can monitor the stages of their disease remotely, which will not make them need to travel long distances all the time.
Patients could also have implanted and embedded sensors to measure their health parameters at home, like body temperature. These sensors would notify the patient if they see that something doesn’t work as it should. With the help of technology, patients could also benefit from better pain management, which could ease symptoms and all the side effects present for patients. Or cancer patients could also use virtual reality technology to have something to escape to that will distract them from the pain they feel at the moment.
Technology brings better treatment to the landscape
Cancer treatment is needed so that patients will destroy the malignant cells in their bodies. For instance, cancer patients could use next-generation targeted therapies to block cancer growth and stop cancerous cells from growing. These precisions could be used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of cancer, which could bring plenty of advantages by improving the quality of life for many individuals.
Technologies have also led to DNA cages that protect the healthy cells and destroy only the cancerous ones. Unfortunately, the medications that are used now for cancer can also eliminate healthy cells, which is something technology could change.
Besides the improvements mentioned above, hospitals and doctors can now benefit from more accurate surgery tools by using robots such as DaVinci and perform operations with better precision. In this case, the robot becomes an extension of the surgeon’s skills and mind, and thus surgeries could be made even in more challenging cases where tumors are placed close to sensitive organs. Additionally, the robot could assess the surgeon in all operations, adding better precision to the game.
Technologies could also help in developing cancer drugs
Technology has the potential to revolutionize the development of cancer drugs, with unlimited potential to create something that will help individuals worldwide. For instance, pharmaceutical companies can now use machine learning and AI to accelerate the drug development process. Another solution to developing cancer drugs is gene editing, which can be used to change the DNA of cells so that doctors and scientists can deal with cancer at a DNA level.
The bottom line
Technology has great potential to revolutionize many areas, including the medical sector, which could make a difference in all patients fighting cancer. Luckily, as improvements will develop even more in the future, we can witness a world where technology could bring even more solutions into the landscape. Unfortunately, at this moment, a huge number of cancer patients die because of this disease, which is why it is crucial to use technology in diagnosing, treating and monitoring patients’ condition.
Cancer always brings emotional, physical, and financial burdens for the diagnosed individual and their families and friends. This is why technology could have an immense role in helping everyone who is fighting against cancer by offering improved care. As technology can save many lives, it has become primordial for doctors in hospitals worldwide to adopt it.