Cancer research

Scientists involved in cancer research may be trained in areas such as chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, medical physics, epidemiology, and biomedical engineering.

Clinical research is devoted to the development of pharmaceuticals, surgical procedures, and medical technologies for the eventual treatment of patients.

[5][contradictory] Furthermore, it is estimated that with further research cancer death rates could be reduced by 70% around the world even without the development of any new therapies.

[6][additional citation(s) needed] Prompt detection of cancer is important, since it is usually more difficult to treat in later stages.

Active research is underway to address all these problems, to develop novel ways of cancer screening and to increase detection rates.

In regard to investigation of causes and potential targets for therapy, the route used starts with data obtained from clinical observations, enters basic research, and, once convincing and independently confirmed results are obtained, proceeds with clinical research, involving appropriately designed trials on consenting human subjects, with the aim to test safety and efficiency of the therapeutic intervention method.

An important part of basic research is characterization of the potential mechanisms of carcinogenesis, in regard to the types of genetic and epigenetic changes that are associated with cancer development.

Several hereditary factors can increase the chance of cancer-causing mutations, including the activation of oncogenes or the inhibition of tumor suppressor genes.

[50][52] Periods of intermittent fasting (time-restricted feeding which may not include caloric restriction) is investigated for potential usefulness in cancer prevention and treatment and as of 2021 additional trials are needed to elucidate the risks and benefits.

[56][57][58][59] In some cases, "caloric restrictions could hinder both cancer growth and progression, besides enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation therapy".

[61][62] Such and similar dietary supplements may contribute to prevention or treatment, with candidate substances including apigenin,[63][64][65] berberine,[66][67][68][69][70] jiaogulan,[71] and rhodiola rosea.

Vodafone has also partnered with the Garvan Institute to create the DreamLab Project, which uses distributed computing via an app on cellphones to perform cancer research.

Members of the public can also join clinical trials as healthy control subjects or for methods of cancer detection.

One open source platform matches genomically profiled cancer patients to precision medicine drug trials.

Pink products are sold to both generate awareness and raise money to be donated for research purposes.