Cancer Care Technology

CRISPR is a new technology designed to edit the genetic code of living cells. It works almost like a pair of scissors that can delete, insert, or edit specific bits of DNA inside cells. It is being trialled to treat cancer and has been described as ‘revolutionary’.

AI is being used by healthcare organisations and may become more commonplace in the future, the NHS states. AI creates a ‘digital twin’ of a cancer patient that identifies patterns in large amounts of data and even estimates the probability of certain cancers.

Telehealth can provide better outcomes for patients by identifying problems early and reducing hospital footfall. Virtual appointments, in-home chemotherapy and remote health monitoring create easier access to care than in-person hospital visits.

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) captures images of molecules that are ten thousandths the width of a human hair. For cancer, this means a better understanding of how cells survive, grow, and interact and could lead to the creation of treatments.

Infinium Assay uses a set of tools that analyse millions of single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs to map the genes that cause cancer. It is now used within cancer research and can provide insight into cancer risk, progression, and development.

Macmillan says that robotic-assisted surgery allows remotely operated tools to access smaller cavities than could normally be reached by a surgeon. Precise robotic surgery can lead to a speedier recovery and involves less blood loss and pain.