Richard Simcock, Chief Medical Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Can we imagine a world without cancer deaths? What would it take to get there?
AstraZeneca launched the ‘Project Zero’ project to consider what the steps required to get us to that ambitious goal.
A few weeks ago I sat down with two Alastairs : Alastair Greystoke and Alastair McLellan from the Health Service Journal to discuss how genomics, biomarkers and precision approaches might get us closer to that goal.
From the cancer sequencing to Multi Cancer Early Detection tests there are enormous opportunities in front of us. We discussed these, but also the inequity of access, the logistic obstacles and the challenges of implementation in a stretched NHS.
We also recognised the fact that however ‘clever’ our diagnostics and therapies become, there are universal and eternal truths about cancer; that people with cancer will need information and support.
Genomic and precision guided approaches mean that we have to do more to educate and inform both staff and patients so that true shared decision making can take place. At Macmillan Cancer Support we are making sure that reliable information is available to people affected by cancer and that education resources are provided for staff. No matter how excited we may be about molecularly guided approaches we must never forget that this disease and these treatments impact on a whole person, and wraparound support for them as a person , not a genomic alteration, is vital.
Equity of access is also imperative. Macmillan Cancer Support want to spark a revolution in cancer care but we all need to work to make sure that these innovations are available to all those who need them, wherever and whoever they are.
You can watch the video here.”
More posts featuring Richard Simcock on OncoDaily.