Healthtech: predicting and preventing cancer
On 26th September 2014, I was given the unexpected, life-changing and terrifying news that I had grade three breast cancer. At the age of 26, rapidly dividing cells within my body had betrayed me, attempting a nightmarish mutiny in a dastardly bid to take control. However, unlike a nightmare, this was very much real — and I was only just lucky enough to spot the invader before it had raided the whole place and planted a flag in the ground.
Although these mutineers were very small, they were also very aggressive. This meant that I had to endure two painful surgeries, six gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and 20 exhausting rounds of radiotherapy in order to turf out the little thugs. Although the “active treatment” was over, I will still be given monthly injections for five years and will take tablets every day for 10 years. This is purely to avoid any stowaways from thinking about making a resurrection.
Five years on, to the day, I am verylucky to be able to say that I was able to crush this rebellion, and every yearI make a point of celebrating what I call my “cancerversary”. The experiencehas made me particularly curious about the technologies being developed to makewhat happened to me a thing of the past. Here’s a roundup of just some of theways that tech could be used to turn cancer into a manageable, or even a curabledisease in the future.
Predicting the future
At the end of last year, researcherswere able to train a computer programme to diagnose two ofthe most common types of lung cancer with 97% accuracy. By analysing tissuesamples on slides, the same AI (artificial intelligence) programme could detectcancer-related genetic mutations in the samples.
Researchers who specialise in machine learning used a deep-learning method originally developed by Google where AI teaches itself to get better at the task of classifying lung cancer specimens to a high level of accuracy and in a matter of seconds.
Rather than being seen as a scary toolthat might take away important jobs, I see this tool as something that couldhelp scientists focus on other vital aspects of research. If this technologycan be expanded into different types of cancer to make quick and accuratediagnoses, it’s working towards the common goal of helping to save lives.
Wearable wonders
The ongoing merging of wearables intohealthcare is also providing hope for earlier detection of certain cancers, withIoT getting in on the action and joining the fight. For example, Cyrcadia Health has developed components for a ‘smart bra’ thatuses predictive analytics and machine learning to analyse abnormal tissuepatterns that could indicate early signs of breast cancer. This information canthen be sent to a healthcare provider to ensure the wearer is seen by aprofessional. Earlier detection means better chances of survival, which issomething worth striving for.
Another recent study was done into wearables improving the life quality and fitness levels of people post-breast cancer treatment. Many of those who go through breast cancer spend several hours a day sitting — whether it’s during an anxious wait before an appointment, recovering from surgery or due to the extreme fatigue that comes as an unwanted side effect of many of the treatments. The findings of this study and others like it could help these individuals quite literally get back on their feet.
Smart solutions
Developed by Imperial College London,an intelligent surgical knife called the iKnifewas developed a few years ago to help surgeons identify tumours in real time.An electrical current heats tissue to make incisions with minimal blood losswhile analysing chemicals in the biological sample via a mass spectrometer.This helps surgeries become shorter, safer and more accurate.
In more recent news, Samsung and SouthKorean telephone company, KT, have collaborated to install a 5G network at a medical centrein Seoul. This innovation will help staff communicate and treat patients morequickly and efficiently. If this technology is successful, it will be rolledout across more hospitals and has the potential to improve not just cancersurvival and treatment, but to save lives across the board.
Looking to the future
Nothing can prepare you for the words “you have cancer”. Treatment is a long-term commitment and, five years on, mine is still ongoing. As much as I see this as a positive thing, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t dread my annual follow-up appointments, bemoan my ongoing side effects or wince every time I have to endure a giant needle.
With this in mind, any developments inhealthtech that can help predict, prevent or even cure this disease or makelife easier for the people who have been unfortunate enough to experience itare worth knowing about and celebrating. So tonight, I’ll be raising a glass toboth my own ‘cancerversay’ and to the technologies being developed to helpother people from never having to have one in the first place.