The Value of Diagnostic Information in Cancer Care
Posted on 07.07.2022
With Europe’s Beating Cancer plan as a backdrop, the time has come to implement policy changes that will provide patients with better access to screening and early diagnostics while improving patient outcomes. Medtech Europe has published a paper on the importance of diagnostic information in cancer care, outlining the following five key recommendations for improving cancer care in Europe:
- Promote robust national policies for cancer prevention, screening, and early diagnosis in National cancer plans.
- Address cancer inequalities with the Cancer Inequity registry by including the rate of participation in cancer screening, time to diagnosis, and rate of early detection as well as the related enabling infrastructures in its indicators.
- Ensure broad and timely patient access to innovative diagnostics to improve cancer patient outcomes.
- Assess the value of laboratory diagnostics, by considering their benefit in enabling screening and early detection, their role at all stages of the cancer care continuum and the broader societal value from improved patient outcomes.
- Improve healthcare systems preparedness by ensuring continuity of cancer care during future health crisis and talking about delayed cancer care and diagnosis.
With the prevalence of cancer expected to further increase, it is crucial that the full potential of laboratory diagnostics for cancer is realised. The European Union and Member States need strong, coordinated policies that recognise the strength of robust cancer screening strategies and early detection. These policies must take a holistic approach – reflecting the value of diagnostic information across the full cancer care continuum (screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring) and for all stakeholders (patients, healthcare professionals, healthcare providers and the healthcare system as a whole).