On February 4, marking World Cancer Day, discussions around the advancements in artificial intelligence for cancer diagnosis and treatment highlight the importance of prevention and the emergence of innovative therapies. This day promotes global efforts and accelerates the collective fight against cancer.

Cancer has risen to become one of the leading causes of death globally, with increasing rates observed over the past forty years. Despite this alarming trend, tangible progress in combating the disease has been disappointingly slow.

The term 'cancer' encompasses a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and proliferation of the body’s own cells, which subsequently invade and damage healthy tissues.

Recent years have seen a rapid translation of artificial intelligence from laboratory settings into clinical practice, fundamentally transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment. This transition has catalyzed improvements in speed, accuracy, and personalization, evolving AI technologies from merely detection tools to integral aspects of precision prevention and early intervention.

In terms of treatment, the overarching objective is to eliminate cancer cells to either achieve a cure or manage the progression of the disease while enhancing the patient’s quality of life.

Patients generally undergo a combination of treatment modalities including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Initially, tumor tissues are surgically removed, followed by chemotherapy, which employs drugs aimed at killing cancer cells, and radiation therapy, which delivers targeted doses to shrink tumors.

The revolution in cancer treatment has been particularly pronounced over the last two decades, with notable advancements in understanding the genetics of cancer cells. Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, chief of hematology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, emphasizes that targeted therapies and immunotherapies have emerged as pivotal breakthroughs.

Targeted therapy concentrates on proteins that govern cancer cell growth, division, and spread, forming the backbone of precision medicine. As research deepens into the DNA alterations and proteins driving cancer, more effective treatments aimed at specific proteins are being developed.

Immunotherapy, representing a type of biological therapy, enhances the immune system's ability to recognize and combat cancer cells. Dr. Sekeres notes that cancer development can be perceived as a deficiency of the immune system’s capacity to identify abnormal cells, with contemporary drugs designed to leverage the immune response against cancer.

For instance, CAR-T cell therapy is a personalized immunotherapy strategy modifying a patient’s T cells to specifically target cancer cells. This involves isolating T cells from the individual, genetically engineering them in a lab, and returning them to the patient to eliminate the cancer.

Despite these innovative treatment options, challenges remain such as severe side effects, the potential for relapse, and prohibitive costs. Emphasizing prevention, the World Health Organization reveals that up to forty percent of cancer cases could be mitigated through lifestyle choices.

According to a recent study ahead of World Cancer Day, millions of new cancer cases are attributed to preventable causes, underlining the significance of proactive measures like refraining from smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. Dr. Sekeres stresses that avoiding tobacco is crucial in reducing the risk of multiple cancer types, along with advocating for regular exercise to enhance survival outcomes for diagnosed patients.