Blog World Cancer Day: Showcasing innovation in the fight against cancer By Sarah Barker 4 February 2025 Share Share on Linkedin Share on X Share via email Blog Health and care professionalsInnovator hubPatients and public Cancer remains one of our most pressing health challenges, with almost 3.5 million people living with cancer in the UK, according to the latest analysis from Macmillan Cancer Support. World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4th, serves as a reminder to celebrate the incredible advancements made in the prevention, screening, early diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. In recent years, innovation has played a pivotal role in transforming how we approach cancer care, offering new possibilities for better outcomes and improved quality of life. At Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex, we are proud to support some of the innovators who are helping to make this happen. Revolutionising screening Screening for cancer is an essential tool in detecting the disease early, before people experience symptoms. In recent years we have seen the adoption of the FIT test (a non-invasive test that checks for blood in a stool sample) for bowel cancer screening, which has led to increased uptake, and there is promising research that suggests that self-sampling for cervical screening will do the same. In our region we’ve been working with Medefer to support an evaluation of their targeted prostate cancer screening programme which has the potential to shift the dial on late-stage diagnosis of this common cancer. We’ve also been working with Quantum Analytica, who have developed a machine learning platform that is showing promise as a risk prediction tool to enhance the targeted lung health check programme, and to support identification of people at risk of other late-detected cancers. More broadly, new non-invasive technologies are emerging to make screening easier and more accessible. Liquid biopsy, for example, is an innovative method that analyses a blood sample to detect genetic mutations and cancer markers. This approach could revolutionise screening for multiple cancer types. Earlier and faster diagnosis Early detection of cancer has long been linked to better treatment outcomes, and advances in diagnostic tools are making this a reality for more patients. Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in analysing diagnostic images and detecting subtle signs of cancer that might otherwise go unnoticed. AI-based algorithms can sift through thousands of medical images at lightning speed, identifying potential cancers with impressive accuracy. We support several innovators who are developing products that aim to triage urgent suspected cancer referrals and streamline multi-disciplinary team (MDT) processes. These innovations can use process automation to speed up and simplify laborious administrative processes. Using AI, they can also ensure completeness of referrals and risk stratify patients depending on clinical signs. Open Medical, having demonstrated their capability with eDerma in Kent, are now looking to deploy Pathpoint Oncology, an end-to-end cloud-based solution that manages configurable digital cancer pathways and clinical workflows. We are keen to see how this is adopted by the system. Moving away from digital solutions, we’re excited by the prospect of a real-world evaluation of AG Health’s WID-Easy in our patch. This simple test can detect endometrial cancer, and we plan to test how it can be used to triage women on the abnormal uterine bleeding pathway. This could really be a game changer for endometrial cancer detection. Better treatment Perhaps the most transformative aspect of cancer innovation lies in treatment. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, while still vital, often come with harsh side effects and limited effectiveness in some cases. However, recent innovations in precision medicine have led to more targeted therapies, like Elekta’s Unity, an MRI guided linear accelerator and Leo Cancer Care’s Ruby and Marie, which deliver radiotherapy to patients in an upright position. Both aim to treat cancer more effectively while minimising harm to healthy cells, which is better for patients and can also cut treatment time, which means more patients can be treated quicker. We’ve also supported an exciting pilot with Innersight labs, who provide 3-D images that can help surgeons to visualise organs and support complex surgery. The future of innovation in cancer treatment and prevention World Cancer Day is not only an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made in cancer care but also a call to action. The innovations in prevention, screening, early diagnosis, and treatment are helping to create a future where cancer may no longer be as deadly or as feared. With ongoing research and collaboration, we are getting closer to a world where cancer is not only treatable but, in many cases, preventable. While much work remains to be done, the strides made in cancer care offer hope for millions of people around the world. If you are an innovator working in this space, find out more about how we can support you, here. If you are a health and care professional, researcher or commissioner working in cancer care and you want to learn more about these innovations and others can support you, please get in touch here. Author bio Sarah Barker Sarah joined the Enterprise and Industry team at Health Innovation KSS in November 2023 as an Innovation Manager. Sarah’s role is to connect different parts of the health and care system with innovators who can help find ways to work more effectively and improve patient outcomes.