The Health Strategist
research and strategy institute for continuous transformation
of in person health and digital health
Joaquim Cardoso MSc
Chief Research and Strategy Officer (CRSO)
May 6, 2023
ONE PAGE SUMMARY
This executive summary provides an overview of Roche’s approach to diagnostics in oncology, highlighting the importance of personalized care and the impact of diagnostics on key decisions throughout a patient’s cancer journey.
The summary emphasizes the global burden of cancer, the need for timely and accurate testing, and the potential for improving survival rates through early detection and quality treatment.
The overview begins by acknowledging the significant impact of cancer, being the second leading cause of mortality worldwide.
- It highlights the personal and far-reaching consequences of a cancer diagnosis, with approximately 70% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
- The summary explains the process of cancer development and the potential for uncontrolled replication leading to tumor growth and spread.
The global burden of cancer is discussed, encompassing both the direct medical costs and the broader impact on individuals, families, and society.
- The summary notes that while the incidence of cancer-related deaths is rising globally due to population growth and aging, early detection can significantly improve survival rates.
- However, limited screening and delays in treatment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to further impact cancer-related mortality.
The synthesis emphasizes the importance of access to timely and accurate testing, quality treatment, and follow-up care for improving survival rates and reducing hospital stays.
- It highlights the ongoing exploration of innovative approaches in cancer care as the understanding of the disease evolves.
Diagnostics are highlighted as playing a crucial role in guiding key decisions along the patient’s journey.
- The summary emphasizes that diagnostics impact nearly every important decision in cancer care, from prevention and treatment choices to disease management.
- It discusses the progress made in understanding the biology of cancer and genomic characteristics, enabling personalized care through targeted therapeutics.
The report highlights Roche’s commitment to empowering laboratories to meet the growing demand for testing.
- It emphasizes the comprehensive ecosystem of solutions offered by Roche across various testing disciplines, including molecular, sequencing, immunochemistry, imaging, tissue, and digital diagnostics.
- It concludes by mentioning specific areas of innovation, such as digitizing diagnostics, cervical cancer prevention, next-gen tumor profiling, personalized breast cancer care, and liquid biopsy testing.
Overall, the executive summary showcases Roche’s dedication to advancing diagnostics in oncology, improving patient outcomes, and transforming the patient experience through innovation and personalized care.
DEEP DIVE
Roche | Diagnostics in oncology
Guiding key decisions across every journey-enabling more personalised care
Roche
December 2020
As our understanding of cancer evolves, we continue to explore innovative ways to improve the lives of patients along their entire journey
The second leading cause of mortality — a first priority¹
A cancer diagnosis is very personal, but its impact can be far-reaching. Cancer is responsible for approximately one in six deaths,1 with approximately 70% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.2 Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, as well as certain infectious diseases, are notable factors associated with increased risk of cancer.2
The disease begins with a disruption in the tightly-regulated cycle of cell replication. Changes within a single cell (damage to its DNA, for example) can affect its ability to repair itself or self-destruct. Uncontrolled replication can result in a build-up of cells called a tumour. If malignant, this mass may continue to grow, invade other parts of the body or spread to other organs.2
The global burden of cancer is incalculable
Totalling $80.2 billion in the US alone in 2015, the direct medical costs of cancer are significant but they only tell part of the story.3 The life-altering impact of cancer extends beyond the individual, affecting immediate and extended family, friends, colleagues, employers and others.
Globally, the incidence of cancer-related deaths is rising. However, this is due largely to an aging and growing population. If caught early, survival rates of many people living with cancer improve. Many cancers are not detected early enough in their development to significantly impact survival, often due to limited screening.1,4 If current trends continue, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts a 60% rise in cancer cases globally over the next two decades.2 Low- and middle-income countries project an 81% increase in cancer-related mortality.4 Regardless of economic standing, delays in treatment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to further impact cancer-related mortality.
Access to timely, accurate testing, quality treatment, and follow-up care is essential for survival rates to improve,4 and to give patients the best chance to spend less time (or no time) in the hospital.
As our understanding of cancer evolves, we continue to explore innovative ways to improve the lives of patients along their entire journey
Diagnostics impact almost all key decision along the patient journey
To an individual, news of a cancer diagnosis can be life-shattering but from this diagnosis emerges a pathway forward. Recent years have shown notable progress in our abilities to manage disease-from early prevention to decisions about treatment and disease management. In addition, evolving tools help clinicians to gain rich insights into individual patients, and seamlessly consult colleagues anywhere in the world. For patients, diagnostics guide nearly every important decision, before, during and after therapy to give them the best opportunity for a healthy life:
Transforming the patient experience, from innovation to outcome
Oncology care teams leverage diagnostic insights to inform timely, confident, and personalised treatment decisions
Our understandings of the underlying biology of cancer and the genomic characteristics of individual tumours have increased dramatically. Similar progress has revolutionised the tools we use to analyse patient data. Today, these insights are transforming the way cancer is viewed, diagnosed, and treated, enabling more personalised patient care through targeted therapeutics.
- From the way samples are collected…
- To specialised in vitro diagnostic tests…
- Using advanced AI-powered algorithms…
- Clinical decision support tools…
- And next-generation technology…
Innovation is in our DNA Empowering laboratories to meet the growing demand for testing
Empowering laboratories to meet the growing demand for testing
As the incidence of cancer grows and more testing is required, laboratories face pressure to adapt and evolve. Across testing disciplines-molecular, sequencing, immunochemistry, imaging, tissue, and digital diagnostics-Roche’s comprehensive ecosystem of solutions ensure laboratories and healthcare professionals have the tools they need to give patients the care they deserve.
- Digitising diagnostics
- Cervical cancer prevention
- Next-gen tumour profiling
- Personalised breast cancer care
- Liquid biopsy testing
References
References
- World Health Organisation. Cancer. Accessed December 21, 2020.
- World Health Organisation. Cancer: Key Facts. Accessed December 21, 2020.
- cancer.org. Economic impact of cancer. Accessed December 21, 2020.
- World Health Organisation. WHO outlines steps to save 7 million lives from cancer. Accessed December 21, 2020.
Originally published at https://www.roche.com.
