The recent milestone of the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act creates a reason for celebration beyond the holiday season.
This legislation was created in 1971 and was signed into law by President Nixon. The Act advanced our nation’s efforts against cancer by establishing the National Cancer Institute in its current form and demonstrating our commitment to fighting cancer.
Now, 50 years later, a new type of screening called multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing is leading our world into the next 50 years of our fight against cancer. MCED tests are blood-based screening tests, which may also be referred to as liquid biopsies. They are designed to identify the presence of cancer for more than one cancer at a time, at the earliest possible stages and before noticeable symptoms occur.
MCED is a groundbreaking type of cancer screening test that utilizes advances in genomic science and machine learning to transform cancer detection. MCED tests:
- Are designed to detect many types of cancers by looking for cancer signals in the blood.
- Are intended to be complementary to existing screenings and extend the benefits of early detection to catch more cancers in early, more treatable stages.
- Are being developed by multiple companies in partnership with many of the top cancer research institutions in America.
A blood test capable of detecting many cancer types could have a tremendous impact in helping people catch more cancers early, when successful treatment is more likely. As these tests move forward in development, planning and implementation, it is paramount that patients and their needs remain at the center of the conversation.
While MCED tests offer hope that one day most cancers will be detected early enough to be successfully treated, patient needs and preferences must be considered as well. It’s very important that we consider all aspects of the MCED process, including access, affordability, acceptance and accountability, to ensure that MCED testing improves patient outcomes. Behind each of the data points are people.
In September 2021, the Prevent Cancer Foundation released a white paper detailing a patient-centered approach to MCED testing, one of the many ways the Foundation continues to lead in cancer prevention and early detection.
As we look back on what’s been accomplished in the past 50 years, we know that the next 50 years will lead to an even brighter future—a future where no one dies of cancer.
