The largest oncology congress in the world presented studies and advances in the fight against the disease
After three years of a pandemic, the biggest global cancer event is back in full force. More than 40,000 researchers, physicians and other healthcare professionals gathered at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting June 2-6 in Chicago, USA. Studies with more effective therapies to combat the disease were presented, as well as diagnostic tools and practices that can increase the quality of life of the person with the disease.
The theme of the 2023 conference was “Patient Partnerships: The Pillar of Cancer Care and Research”. For Carlos Henrique dos Anjos, oncologist at the Sírio-Libanês hospital, this is a pertinent choice. “More and more people understand the importance of listening to the patient, both from a healthcare and a scientific point of view. The researcher must understand if what he is trying to study is relevant to whoever is being treated,” he says.
At his eleventh participation in the congress, the breast specialist highlights, in his field, the conclusions of a research called Natalee. Scientists have demonstrated alternatives that can significantly increase the survival rate of people diagnosed with the most common form of breast cancer: the hormone-blocking disease. “The positive effects of the treatment, already known for patients with metastases, have also been demonstrated for the initial stages of the disease”, celebrates the oncologist. “However, it is important that the patients in the study are followed up longer to document the real benefit of the drug,” he concludes.
As in other areas of knowledge, artificial intelligence is coming to medicine and was contemplated at the event. According to oncologist Ciro Eduardo de Souza, a member of the clinical staff of the Sírio-Libanês Hospital since 2008, around 120 papers focused on this topic have been presented. “The doctor needs to know all the molecular characteristics of the tumor, information about the patient’s health status and the extent of the disease, which we call staging. AI tools can help us make decisions and predict the type of response expected for a treatment,” he explains.
In addition to increasing the accuracy of diagnosis and the appropriate therapy for each case, the technology will help democratize access to cutting-edge medicine, according to the oncologist. “The Asco congress increasingly welcomes all kinds of people with cancer and provides us with data so that we can take better care of patients,” says Souza.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
