Why haven’t we made more progress in improving outcomes for cancer patients? 600k people died of cancer in the US 25 years ago, and it’s 600k today. Despite small extensions of life, and certain breakthrough drugs, we still lose far too many people a year to this disease. Covid showed the world what we are capable of as it relates to moving fast and being bold. We need that same sense of urgency in cancer.
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Great question Eric Lefkofsky. Perhaps the progress rate is partly due to the complexity of cancer as a group of diseases, the fragmented nature of research efforts, and the slow pace of innovation adoption. In contrast, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the power of coordinated, urgent global efforts to accelerate medical breakthroughs. If we apply that same sense of urgency, collaboration, and boldness to cancer—prioritising faster regulatory approvals, encouraging innovative research, and improving access to cutting-edge treatments—we could make much more significant strides in improving patient outcomes. The time for incremental progress has passed; we need transformational approaches.
AI is technology’s most important priority and healthcare is its most important application. Data saves lives. It’s time to pick up the pace. Systems and various AI models shouldn’t sit siloed a minute longer. Lives depend on it. Eric Lefkofsky
If we can't change the numbers of death from cancer, then it doesn't mean we (Tempus AI) not succeeding. I believe we giving doctors more clarity in decision making and improving the quality of life for patients. Cancer is multifactorial, lifestyle disease too, we always fighting like firefighters with fire already going on. Prevention could be a key to decrease the numbers of death. Thank you, Eric, for your dedication and hard work! 👍
Agree, Eric. Most of the touted survival improvement is simply stage bias due to better imaging and screening for some cancers. That progress is real, but also means that stage-for-stage treatment outcomes haven’t improved dramatically. We have been waiting for something truly impactful for decades.
Especially with colon cancer, which is on the rise in people under 40 yet the screening age is 45. I lost a 33yo friend to this disease last week - we had the same doctor but a very different outcome because she found hers just a touch later than I found mine (and I had to BEG for a test). Thank you for doing the research to help figure out why this is happening!
Profoundly inspiring.. grateful for Tempus AI and the lead in innovation..
Well said Eric
Thanks’foenthebpost. 600k —> 600k! How could that be? What about other data pointing to great progresses (eg in liquid tumors, melanoma, lung, impact of IO etc). Some great slides outed by Jean-Charles Soria, MD, PhD and others. Amol Akhade Kevin Punie