Scientists Want to Intercept Cancer Decades Before It Develops. Here’s How. – ScienceAlert

Cancer Interception: A Paradigm Shift in Cancer Treatment Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Traditional cancer treatment typically involves identifying symptoms, diagnosing the disease, and initiating treatment. However, recent scientific advancements are steering towards a transformative approach known as cancer interception, which aims to detect and prevent cancer development decades before tumors manifest. This proactive strategy aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by promoting early detection and reducing cancer mortality worldwide.

Understanding Cancer Interception

Cancer interception targets the biological mechanisms that lead to cancer long before tumors form. Researchers focus on identifying subtle early warning signs such as:

• Genetic mutations accumulating silently in cells that evade immune defenses
• Precancerous lesions including moles and polyps
• Early visible tissue changes preceding obvious cancer symptoms

Large-scale genetic studies have revealed that aging bodies accumulate mutated cell clones, especially in blood, which can predict the likelihood of blood cancers like leukemia. These findings support the development of early intervention strategies, contributing to SDG 3 by enhancing health outcomes through prevention.

Scientific Advances and Early Detection Technologies

1. Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests (MCEDs): These blood tests detect circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) fragments released by cancerous or precancerous cells, enabling detection before symptoms arise.
2. Genetic and Environmental Risk Assessment: Combining genetic mutation data with environmental factors and MCED results to guide personalized cancer prevention.

MCEDs have demonstrated promising results, particularly in improving survival rates for colorectal cancer, where early-stage detection leads to a 92% five-year survival rate compared to 18% at late stages. This progress supports SDG 3 by reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

• Overdiagnosis and Anxiety: Identifying cancer risk in asymptomatic individuals may cause unnecessary psychological distress.
• Variability in Prevention Effectiveness: Unlike cardiovascular treatments such as statins, cancer prevention tools vary widely in efficacy.
• Ethical Dilemmas: Determining the benefit of interventions in healthy individuals raises complex ethical questions.
• False Positives and Healthcare Burden: MCED tests may lead to unnecessary follow-up procedures, increasing patient anxiety and healthcare costs.
• Health Inequities: High costs and limited access to advanced diagnostics risk exacerbating disparities, especially in low-income countries, challenging SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Policy and Global Health Initiatives

Regulatory bodies in the United States and the United Kingdom are actively evaluating MCED tests to ensure safety, reliability, and equitable access. Notably, the UK’s National Cancer Plan aims to provide 9.5 million additional diagnostic tests annually by 2029, including ctDNA biomarker testing for lung and breast cancers, with plans to expand if cost-effective. These initiatives contribute to SDG 3 and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by fostering innovation and strengthening healthcare systems.

Conclusion: Towards Sustainable Cancer Prevention

The emerging evidence confirms that cancer develops through a gradual, multi-step process with identifiable early signs. Intercepting cancer before tumor formation holds significant potential to save lives and improve global health outcomes. However, implementing this approach requires careful consideration of ethical, social, and economic factors to ensure safety, fairness, and effectiveness, in line with the broader objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Key SDG Linkages in Cancer Interception

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Enhancing early detection and prevention to reduce cancer mortality.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Promoting research and development of innovative diagnostic technologies.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Addressing disparities in access to cancer prevention and care services.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Encouraging collaboration among governments, researchers, and healthcare providers to implement effective cancer interception strategies.

Report prepared based on research by Ahmed Elbediwy and Nadine Wehida, Kingston University, originally published by The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.