Cancer treatment

Main article: Cancer (disease)

Causes of cancer

Main article: Causes of cancer

• Breast cancer (BC)
• Lung cancer
• Bladder cancer

Cancer diagnosis

Main article: Cancer diagnosis

Free OMS treatment

Main article: Free cancer treatment for compulsory medical insurance

Cancer treatment approaches

Below are the main cancer treatment approaches for 2025:

The peculiarities of radiation therapy and the operational approach are their location, which allows you to remove or destroy the affected tissues at the site of the tumor.

Otherwise, systemic - that is, drug - therapy works. It is able to affect tumor cells regardless of where the cancer focus is located. At the same time, chemotherapy attacks all cells that divide actively, including not only tumor, but also quite healthy, for example, hair follicles. Such drugs have a pronounced toxicity, which is expressed in severe side effects.

Targeted therapy has a focus: drugs attack only certain cells, those on the surface of which a specific "target" is found. All other cells are unaffected by such therapy. For 2025, there are many targeted drugs, each of which acts on targets characteristic of certain tumors. Their use allows patients to be treated more efficiently, but is not suitable for everyone, but only for patients in whose tumors targets are found. Side effects with targeted treatment occur less often than with chemotherapy, and in general, such treatment is easier to tolerate.

Another modern approach is immunotherapy, in which the body is stimulated in order to recognize and attack tumor cells that skillfully disguise themselves while hiding from the immune system. In 2025, they are trying to use immunotherapies to develop a vaccine against cancer, which scientists in Russia are working on today.

Chemotherapy

Main article: Chemotherapy

Radiotherapy

Main article: Radiotherapy (radiotherapy)

Removal of tumors

Main article: Removal of tumors

Drugs to treat cancer

Main article: Drugs for cancer treatment

Occipital flap method

• Occipital flap method (used in surgical treatment of head and neck cancer)

T-hitmen in the fight against cancer

Main article: T-killers

Cancer immunotherapy

Main article: Cancer immunotherapy

PDT (Photodynamic Therapy)

Main article: PDT (Photodynamic therapy)

Magnetic hyperthermia

Main article: Magnetic hyperthermia

Cancer vaccines

Main article: Cancer vaccines

Treatment of selected cancers

• Liver cancer treatment
• Lung cancer treatment
• Stomach cancer treatment
• Ovarian cancer treatment
• Treatment of genital cancer: Brachytherapy

Cancer treatment in Russia

Ambulatory Cancer Care Centers (CAOPs)

Main article: Centers for Outpatient Cancer Care (CAOP)

Cancer treatment in Moscow

Main article: Cancer treatment in Moscow

2025

Single Dose technology. Russia began to conduct a full course of treatment for prostate cancer in one day

At the end of November 2025, it became known that the specialists of the Medskan Hadassah clinic began to use Single Dose technology for the therapy of prostate (prostate) cancer. This method allows patients to undergo a full course of treatment in one day. Read more here.

High-precision DNA sensor will help you choose the right dosage of antitumor drugs

Scientists have developed a high-precision sensor based on graphene oxide and a polymer dye, which allows you to determine the content of anthracycline antitumor drugs in biological samples. The Russian Scientific Foundation (RNF) announced this on July 2, 2025. Drugs of this type are used to treat cancers of the blood, skin and neoplasms in the connective tissue, but harm the cardiovascular system, which is why their dosage must be strictly controlled. Read more here.

New blood cancer therapy that keeps cancer cells from developing for three times longer than conventional methods has successfully started being applied

In mid-June 2025, it became known that Britain's National Health Service she began to use a new method of treating blood cancer, which three times longer restrains the development of malignant formations than traditional approaches. The technology is called "Trojan Horse" therapy. More here

Scientists at Sechenov University have created a "brain-on-a-chip" to study glioblastoma therapy

Scientists at Sechenov University have developed a brain-on-a-chip microfluidic system to investigate a new approach to glioblastoma therapy - one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. The combination of temozolomide and wireless optostimulation made it possible to achieve almost complete destruction of tumor cells in laboratory samples. If further studies are as successful, in the future, doctors will receive a tool to combat this dangerous disease. The work is carried out with the support of the RSF grant No. 24-79-00271. The university announced this on July 28, 2025. Read more here.

2024

Biological mechanisms have been discovered in Russia to prevent cancer recurrence

In August 2024, it became known that Russian scientists from the Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences made an important breakthrough in cancer research, revealing new biological mechanisms that can prevent cancer recurrence. The discovery has the potential to develop innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at combating so-called "sleeper" cancer cells that remain invulnerable to traditional therapies.

According to TASS, scientists focused on the study of the ubiquitin-proteosome system (UPS), which is responsible for controlling the degradation of about 80% of proteins in the body's cells. The study showed that this system plays a major role in the recurrence of cancer. Drug exposure to the components of PMS may be a new method for preventing metastasis and recurrence of tumors.

Mechanisms for preventing cancer recurrence have been opened in Russia

Scientists have revealed that the components of the UPC actively interact with key proteins involved in cancer recurrence processes. In each phase of this process, the ubiquitin-proteosome system plays a role by changing activity depending on the state of tumor cells. In particular, it was found that the activity of certain PMS enzymes supports the "dormant" state of cancer cells, which makes them resistant to chemotherapy. To "wake up" these cells requires a decrease in the activity of some enzymes and an increase in the activity of others, which contributes to the growth of the tumor.

Bashar Alkhasan, a junior researcher at the Laboratory of Protective Mechanisms of Cell, INC RAS, noted that the results obtained could become the basis for the introduction of new therapeutic approaches aimed at combating "sleeping" cells. One such strategy may be to block the enzyme E3 ligase, which will control the stability and activity of proteins that contribute to the formation of cancer cells and the suppression of the immune response.^[1]

MIPT physicists have created polymer submicrocapsules with gold nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy

Physicists MIPT have created ones polymeric gold nanoparticle submicrocapsules that, under the influence of light, are able to convert intracellular hydrogen peroxide into molecular oxygen. This allows you to start the process cancer of cell death. This effect can be used in targeted therapy of malignant tumors. The results of the Clover study are published in the journal PARTICLE&PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION. This was announced on August 1, 2024 by representatives of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. More. here

In Russia, created a cure for cancer with 100% effectiveness

A new cancer drug has been developed in Russia, which has shown 100% effectiveness in clinical trials. Dostarlimab has demonstrated complete remission in all patients, which confirms its potential in the fight against cancer. This became known in mid-June 2024. Read more here.

A cell test system has been developed in Russia to select the optimal therapy

The cellular test system for personalized medicine was created by scientists of the Center for Biomedical Technologies of the Institute of Biophysics of the Future MIPT. Based on the patient's biomaterials, it provides a predictive analysis of his condition both when selecting the most suitable of the possible drugs, and for assessing the condition during treatment. The test system can be used in onco-therapy, for the analysis of cellular aging in age-related changes, as well as for the rehabilitation of postcoid syndrome. This was announced on April 16, 2024 by representatives of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. Read more here.

2023

Russian chemists have developed compounds that trigger the self-destruction of cancer cells

In November 2023 MIPT , they announced the creation of biocompatible nanoparticles based on lactic and glycolic acids. They, according to the developers, are able to selectively penetrate breast cancer cells, illuminate and destroy them when irradiated with lasers. More. here

Russian oncologists cured the cancer of the last stage with the help of a new radiopharmaceutical

In September 2023, researchers from the Tomsk Research Institute of Oncology, TNIMC RAS presented the results of the successful treatment of stage four prostate cancer. Experts used the radiotherapy drug Lutetium-117 PSMA. Read more here.

Russian scientists for the first time in the world received the purest nanoparticles to fight cancer

Scientists of NITU MISIS, NRNU MEPhI and IZMI RAS for the first time in the world received the purest nanoparticles for a progressive method of treating cancer - magnetic hyperthermia. This was announced to Zdrav.Expert on July 31, 2023 by representatives of the University of Science and Technology MISIS. Read more here.

2022

In Russia, the costs of the state and Russians for the treatment of oncology continue to grow

In 2022, the cost of treating cancer in Russia reached 385.4 billion rubles, an increase of 9.4% compared to the previous year. This is evidenced by the data of analysts of the market research agency "GuideMarket." The report was published on November 15, 2023.

According to experts, the data on the market volume were formed on the basis of open and estimated information on the amount of funds allocated for compulsory medical insurance (the amount of compulsory medical insurance funds for the payment of oncological medical care), on quotas for high-tech medical care (VMP), as well as information on the revenue of the largest private clinics for the treatment of oncology.

Judging by the statistics of "GuideMarket," the cost of treating oncology in the Russian Federation has been steadily growing since 2015. The annual increase in the indicator varies from 9.4% to 41.7% at current prices. On average, the growth rate for 2015-2022 was estimated by analysts at 26.6%. Experts note that by 2022 the market for oncology services in Russia is on the growth of the life cycle and is unsaturated, and in the medium term it is predicted that it will grow annually.

According to Nikolai Dronov, chairman of the executive committee of the MOD "Movement against Cancer," whose words are given in the study, a big problem in Russia is the drug supply to cancer patients. In 2023, the FFOMS and the Ministry of Health reformatted the system for paying for cancer care under compulsory medical insurance. The number of treatment groups for solid tumors in adult patients increased from 17 to 19 due to the inclusion of new drugs in VED (paclitaxel + albumin, alpelisib, octreotide) and taking into account clinical recommendations. The total number of drug regimens increased from 1284 to 1353.

The adjustments also affected the coefficients of oncological medicinal CSGs, as a result of which their estimated cost will be in the range of 9.9-918 thousand rubles instead of the current 9.7-707.5 thousand rubles per case of treatment. The new tariff grouping, as Olga Tsareva, deputy chairman of the federal fund, explained, will bring drug regimens worth over 500 thousand rubles closer to the actual cost of treatment.^[2]

Radiotherapy has become available to cancer patients in all regions of Russia

Radiation therapy has become available to cancer patients in all regions of Russia. The head of the Ministry of Health RFMikhail Murashko said this at the end of November 2022 at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Read more here.

One in five cancer patients wait more than a month for an examination

About one in five cancer patients in Russia is awaiting examination for more than a month. This is stated in a study conducted by the Association of Cancer Patients "Hello!" The data was released in October 2022.

According to the survey, more than half of cancer patients expected to begin drug therapy for up to two weeks. And almost 10% could not start it for more than two months. One in five had to wait more than a month for an examination. Only a third of respondents reported that all surveys were carried out on time.

Every tenth cancer patient is forced to go to a day hospital to get the necessary medicine, said the president of the association, Irina Borovova. And 35% receive drug therapy in the form of droppers in the hospital. Pills at home are taken by 78% of respondents.

The number of violations in the provision of medical care to cancer patients identified during inspections of the Federal Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund (Compulsory Medical Insurance) decreased by 2.8% over the year, said Olga Tsareva, deputy chairman of the MHIF, in October 2022. And the number of defects during chemotherapy, opened during expert events, for 8 months of 2022 decreased by 4% compared to the same period in 2021.

Positive dynamics is also observed in the indicators of early detection of malignant neoplasms, stated Valeria Gulshina, Deputy Director of the Department for Organization of Medical Care and Sanatorium-Resort Affairs of the Ministry of Health of Russia. Thus, the share of malignant neoplasms detected at stages I - II increased by 2.5% - from 56.9% in eight months of last year to 58.3% in the same period of this year. One-year mortality decreased from 20.1% to 19.4^[3]

Russia has created a technology that will help in the treatment of colon cancer

In Russia, as it became known in July 2022, they created a technology that will help in the treatment of colon cancer. We are talking about the joint development of scientists from the Perm National Research Polytechnic University (PNIPU) and Iranian specialists. Read more here.

Russian scientists have created a robot microscope capable of releasing cancer cells

Russian scientists, together with colleagues from Hungary and Finland, have created a robot microscope capable of isolating cancer cells. The system was named SpheroidPicker. Read more here.

ITMO scientists have proposed the use of antisense oligonucleotides to destroy a cancer cell

On July 26, 2022, representatives of ITMO University announced that it was proposed to use antisense oligonucleotides - synthesized short DNA fragments - to destroy a cancer cell. Researchers have developed a system that allows simultaneously detecting tumor markers in cells and "turning off" genes responsible for tumor survival. The device can be changed for any cancer marker and target gene - this opens up opportunities for an effective fight against oncology. Read more here.

2021: Putin awarded prizes to developers of new cancer treatments

In February 2021, Vladimir Putin signed a decree awarding young scientists presidential prizes in the field of science and innovation at the end of 2020. In particular, the award was awarded to senior researchers at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the creation of two methods of treating patients with malignant tumors and the formation of the main provisions of the new ideology of personalized antitumor medicine. Read more here.

2020

Rosatom will build an interregional center for radionuclide therapy in Lipetsk for 1.26 billion rubles

On September 11, 2020, it became known that an interregional center for radionuclide therapy will be built in Lipetsk. An agreement was signed between the Government of the Lipetsk Region and Rusatom Healthcare JSC (integrator in the field of radiation technologies in medicine and industry of Rosatom State Corporation) to create the Lipetsk Regional Oncological Dispensary, the first project from the investment program implemented by Rosatom State Corporation to create a network of radionuclide therapy centers in the Russian Federation. Read more here.

Hybrid with humin: a method to synthesize nanoparticles potentially beneficial for cancer therapy

On September 7, 2020, it became known that scientists at NUST MISIS together with colleagues from the Institute of Organic Chemistry named after N.D. Zelinsky RAS and the Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry named after A.N. Frumkin RAS created a hybrid structure of magnetic nanoparticles and humic molecules. The proposed hybrid is biocompatible, its production does not require high costs, and in the future it can be used for magnetic diagnostics and high-temperature therapy of cancer. An article on the development was published in Nanomaterials. Read more here.

ITMO scientists have proposed the concept of a nanorobot cancer fighter

On January 28, 2020, it became known that a group of researchers from ITMO University proposed the concept of a drug against cancer. A nanorobot created from DNA fragments, in theory, will be able not only to destroy cancer cells, but also to recognize them throughout the body at the same time. Read more here.

Biocompatible gold nanoparticles will accelerate individual cancer diagnosis and treatment

On May 26, 2020, the online publication Zdrav.Expert learned that an international group of researchers from NUST MISIS and Clemson University (Clemson University, Clemson, USA) proposed their own method for producing gold nanoparticles based on ultraviolet synthesis. Method excludes use of aggressive chemical agents, obtained nanoparticles are safe for organism and can be used for diagnosis and therapy of oncological diseases. Read more here.

New technologies

2024: Implant for Complex Femoral and Tibial Defects Due to Cancer Comes to Market

In mid-July 2024, Orthofix launched the Fitbone implant for complex femoral and tibial defects. The company also reported the first successful implantation of the device. Read more here

2023

New treatment for aggressive prostate cancer developed with 87.3% efficacy

On October 19, 2023, an international team of scientists proposed a new combined treatment for prostate cancer patients at high risk of biochemical recurrence. We are talking about the use of enzalutamide in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) Leuprolide. Read more here.

Swiss company ADC Therapeutics stopped working on a drug to treat lymphoma after the death of 7 patients

On July 11, 2023, the Swiss company ADC Therapeutics announced the termination of work on the drug Zynlonta for the treatment of lymphoma in connection with the death of seven patients. Read more here.

CRISPR therapy developed that blocks the development of all cancers

On July 6, 2023, American researchers from Yale University reported on the development of a new technology for combating malignancies through gene editing (CRISPR). Read more here.

Thyroid cancer has been treated with radioactive iodine for 80 years. Now a new way has been found how to do it even more efficiently

In late June 2023, researchers at The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust were able to calculate the individual dose of treatment for each patient with selumetinib. This method may help provide patients with refractory differentiated thyroid cancer with the maximum benefit of radioactive iodine treatment after redifferentiating therapy. Read more here.

Universal Cancer Treatment Found

On June 27, 2023, Japanese specialists from the Institute for Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) announced the development of a new method that allows treating several types of cancer with fewer negative side effects than the methods used in medicine.

Scientists say that side effects of standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be devastating, while the destruction of all cancer cells is not guaranteed, especially when the cancer has already metastasized and spread throughout the body. There are methods of purposefully killing cancer cells, but they cannot be applied to all types of malignancies. The new technology allows you to bypass this limitation.

The proposed method is based on the fact that a compound called acrolein accumulates in cancer cells. Previously, the method was used to detect individual breast cancer cells. Since acrolein is almost absent in healthy cells, the technology allows the body to identify cancer cells with high efficiency. To do this, experts attached a fluorescent substance to a certain type of azide - an organic molecule with a group of three nitrogen atoms (N3) at the end.

In the new work, instead of illuminating cancer cells, the researchers focused on destroying them. Specialists introduced the substance astatin-211, which kills exclusively cancer cells, which was activated when interacting with azide. Experiments in mice implanted with human lung tumor cells showed that without targeting, malignant ones formations continue to grow. At the same time, when a probe with astatin-211-azide is injected into the tumor or into the bloodstream, cancer cells die: the survival rate of rodents in these cases was 100% and 80%, respectively.^[4]

Special bandages for cancer treatment began to be printed on a 3D printer

On June 6, 2023, Canadian researchers at Waterloo University reported on the development of an innovative dressing designed to improve the process of tissue repair after burns. In addition, the device can be used for drug delivery during therapy of malignancies. Read more here.

Innovative technology developed for the treatment of carcinoma

On May 30, 2023, the medical company ABK Biomedical announced the development of an advanced technology for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver. Read more here.

Immunotherapy that suppresses the most aggressive type of brain cancer developed

On May 12, 2023, a group of researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden announced the development of a new method to combat glioblastoma - an aggressive brain tumor. Read more here.

Successful surgery using advanced histotripsy platform

On March 31, 2023, HistoSonics announced the first kidney surgery using an advanced histotripsy platform. The procedure was performed in Leeds (Britain): a team of specialists was led by Professor Tze Min Wah, a senior consultant radiologist. Read more here.

Universal cancer immunotherapy successfully tested

On March 16, 2023, researchers from the Swiss Higher Technical School of Zurich reported successful testing of a method for universal cancer immunotherapy. The new technology is expected to allow any donor's cells to be injected into any patient, which will help improve the effectiveness of the fight against malignancies.

Traditional immunotherapeutic cancer treatments use the patient's own cells. This is due to the fact that the immune system can identify donor cells as "hostile." Moreover, in immunocompromised individuals, donor cells can recognize a patient's cells as foreign and induce a strong and therefore fatal immune response in the recipient. Such a reaction is known as "graft versus host."

Swiss researchers have proposed a way to solve the problem. Scientists have created a synthetic TCR-CD3 complex located on the surface of killer T cells specializing in the defeat of viruses and tumor tissues. After such a change, T-killers are not able to respond to foreign cells: this means that they can no longer trigger a graft-versus-host reaction. However, these T-killers with a synthetic TCR-CD3 complex can still be activated by bispecific antibodies to fight cancer cells.

The idea is to isolate killer T cells from the blood of healthy donors and, using biotechnical methods, replace their natural complex with a TCR-CD3 synthetic one. Then the blood of cancer patients will be enriched with these modified donor cells, - said the head of research Edo Kapetanovic.

Zurich's Swiss Higher Technical School has already filed a patent application for the new technology. The next step is to refine the solution and bring it to market.^[5]

2022

Artificial DNA created to kill cancer

On December 21, 2022, Japanese researchers from the University of Tokyo announced the development of a new method for detecting and killing cancer cells using artificial DNA.

Drugs based on nucleic acids, namely DNA and RNA, can control the biological functions of cells. It is assumed that in the future this approach will help in the fight against serious diseases, including genetic ones. However, the use of nucleic acids for the treatment of malignancies is difficult because there are difficulties in distinguishing cancer cells from healthy ones. And this means that there is a high probability of a detrimental effect on the patient's immune system.

Cancer cells can overexpress or create too many copies of certain DNA or RNA molecules, which leads to disruption of their normal functioning. A University of Tokyo research team led by Associate Professor Kunihiko Morihiro and Professor Akimitsu Okamoto of the Graduate School of Engineering created a pair of chemically synthesized DNA in the form of a hair stealth hairpin that kills cancer. When such pairs were injected into cancer cells, they joined with microRNA molecules (produced in excess in some cancers), unraveled and bound together. As a result, longer strands of DNA were formed that triggered the immune response. Moreover, this answer not only killed cancer cells, but also prevented further growth of cancer tissue.

The proposed method has already been successfully tested in laboratory conditions on samples of human cervical and breast cancer cells, as well as on melanoma cells taken from mice.

{{Quote 'Next, we will strive to create drugs based on the results of this study and will study in detail the effectiveness, toxicity and possible methods of administration, scientists say. ^[6]

MRI sensor created that sees light in the depths of the brain

In late December 2022, using a new specialized magnetic resonance imaging sensor, MIT researchers showed that they could detect light deep in tissues such as the brain. Read more here.

Developed a new method of treating resistant prostate cancer

In early November 2022, researchers at Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center identified a therapeutic approach that could be effective in combating treatment-resistant prostate cancer. Read more here.

New pancreatic cancer therapy created that treats 80% of cases

In mid-October 2022, engineers at Duke University developed a drug delivery system to treat cancer and demonstrated its potential against one of the most unpleasant forms of the disease. In a published study in mice with pancreatic cancer, scientists have shown how a radioactive implant can completely destroy tumors in most rodents, demonstrating what they say is the most effective treatment ever studied in these preclinical models. Read more here.

Scientists create material from tropical plants for cancer therapy

On February 17, 2022, it became known that scientists at NUST MISIS as part of an international team synthesized material with antibacterial and anti-cancer properties. According to the authors, it has prospects for use in biomedicine. The study is published in the journal Materials Chemistry and Physics. Read more here.

2021

Head cooling device announcement to keep hair on chemotherapy

In mid-November 2021, the medical and technological company Cooler Heads Care introduced a cold-capped therapeutic device called Amma. The system should help patients undergoing chemotherapy to keep their hair. The company expects the device to be in the hands of patients in the first quarter of 2022. Read more here.

Varian started using Google's neural architecture to treat cancer

In early April 2021, Varian announced an upcoming collaboration with Google Cloud. The company intends to use Google's neural architecture to treat cancer and create an artificial intelligence-based diagnostic platform. Read more here.

TheraSphere Y-90 Announcement - Liver Cancer Treatment Systems

In mid-March 2021, Boston Scientific unveiled a new device to treat liver cancer. TheraSphere Y-90 glass microspheres have been developed to treat patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), according to a press release. Read more here.

2020

New Cancer Treatment Technology - Carbon Therapy (CIRT) Comes

At the end of October 2020, the DOTmed.com presented a list of new methods of cancer therapy, among which carbon therapy (CIRT) occupies a special place. In this approach, particles more massive than protons or neutrons are used to irradiate the tumor, which provides a faster and more pronounced result. Read more here.

Magnetic-gold nanohybrid will help fight cancer

On July 27, 2020, it became known that the team of scientists at NUST MISIS, together with colleagues from Russia and Germany, presented a detailed study of nanoparticles-hybrids from magnetite and gold. In the future, such nanoparticles can help in theranostics - the diagnosis and subsequent therapy of cancer. Read more here.

2019: How doctors in practice use IBM's AI tools to individually treat cancer

In mid-September 2019, IBM announced a collaboration with the University Hospital in Geneva (Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, HUG) to implement and use IBM Watson Health software for genomics research. Thus, HUG became the first hospital in Europe to start using this tool. Read more here.

2016

Microsoft develops artificial intelligence to fight cancer

In September 2016, Microsoft announced the development of artificial intelligence, which, as the company expects, will help doctors find the right methods of treating cancer. This research project was named Hanover. Read more here.

IBM Watson to help fight cancer in China

In August 2016, the American corporation IBM announced the introduction of a cognitive platform Watson in Chinese hospitals in order to assist in the treatment of cancer. More. here

Cancer treatment costs

2022: US spends $200 billion a year on cancer treatment, but deaths there are more than those in countries with lower costs

At the end of May 2022, it became known that the United States spends more than $200 billion a year on cancer treatment, which is approximately $600 per person, while the average for other high-income countries is $300. However, high costs have little or no effect on neoplasm mortality rates.

Of the 22 high-income countries included in the JAMA Health Forum study, the United States has the highest rate of spending on cancer control. At the same time, in six countries such as Australia, Finland, Iceland, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland - a lower mortality from cancer was recorded.

Smoking is the strongest risk factor for cancer deaths, and smoking rates in the U.S. have historically been lower than in other countries. Researchers took into account international differences in smoking rates, cancer death rates in the United States became the same as the average for a high-income country. At the same time, nine countries such as, Australia,, Finland,, Iceland,, and Japan South Korea- Luxembourg Norway Spain had Switzerland lower mortality from cancer adjusted for smoking than in the United States.

{{quote 'There is a common belief that the US offers the most advanced cancer care in the world. Our system is lauded for developing new treatments and providing them more quickly to patients than in other countries. We were wondering if the significant US investment in cancer care was actually linked to better treatment outcomes. In other words, countries that spend more on cancer treatment don't necessarily have better cancer mortality rates, said lead study author and MD Ryan Chow. }} According to the researchers, more research is needed to identify specific policy measures that could significantly reform the cancer treatment system in the United States. However, scientists point to lax regulation and pricing of cancer drug approvals as two key factors contributing to the high cost of cancer treatment in the United States.^[7]

2019: Americans spend $21bn on cancer treatment

The total expenses of US residents for the treatment of cancer at the end of 2019 reached $21.09 billion. This is stated in the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, published by leading American cancer organizations at the end of October 2021.

This amount included both the direct monetary costs of Americans for the treatment of cancer (they amounted to $16.22 billion), the so-called "patient time costs" (estimated at $4.87 billion), including trips to medical institutions and waiting for help.

The largest expenses at the end of 2019 fell on the treatment of the following types of cancer:

• breast cancer ($3.14 billion);
• prostate cancer ($2.26 billion);
• colorectal cancer ($1.46 billion);
• lung cancer ($1.35 billion).

Adults 65 years of age and older with Medicare insurance spent $2,200 and $243 annually on medical services and medications at the initial stage of treatment (in the first 12 months after diagnosis). Their expenses in the last stage of the disease (12 months before death) amounted to $3,823 and $448, respectively.

As the cost of cancer treatment continues to rise, more attention needs to be paid to patients' financial problems, including difficulty paying medical bills or even refusing treatment because of its high cost, said American Cancer Society Chief Executive Officer Karen E. Knudsen.

The spending report was the result of a joint effort by the American Cancer Society of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), as well as the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.

In addition to cancer morbidity and mortality and insurance company treatment costs, out-of-pocket costs and patient time costs are important indicators that highlight the enormous economic burden of cancer, making it a priority for the health care system, the report's authors said.^[8]

The importance of second opinion

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the proportion of patients whom doctors have not helped or have not helped enough is 23%. In 2015, scientists from Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Maryland, USA) conducted a study and found that a medical error became fatal for 250 thousand patients in the United States, for 24 thousand in Canada, for 70 thousand - in the UK, for 100 thousand - in Germany. In Russia, there are no such statistics for 2019, unfortunately, but, most likely, the numbers will be no less impressive. The main problems are the late appeal for medical care and errors in diagnostics. This means that effective treatment is possible only with a timely and correct diagnosis.

It is no coincidence that the Second Opinion service, or "Second Opinion," which is in demand both among patients and doctors, is becoming increasingly widespread in many countries, including Russia. The "second opinion" allows you to find out the opinion of an independent expert, get more information about the disease and the treatment plan. The reliability of diagnostics in this case increases by 48%.

What is the "second opinion"

The second opinion is the practice of obtaining additional advice from a medical specialist on the results of medical research conducted in order to clarify the diagnosis and plan of upcoming treatment. In most cases, such a consultation is an expert assessment of the patient's condition and is provided only by a highly qualified doctor of a certain specialization. This practice allows us to achieve a more accurate interpretation of medical data and, accordingly, improve the quality of diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

The second opinion can be obtained both during a face-to-face consultation (for example, a multi-specialist consultation) and as a result of a remote consultation through telecommunications resources. In the latter case, the second opinion is part of telemedicine.

What are the most common reasons for seeking a second opinion

The most common reasons for contacting specialists for a "second opinion" in Russia for 2019 are:

• Patient uncertainty about the accuracy of the diagnosis;
• Addressing the need for surgery;
• Risk of treatment with highly toxic drugs;
• Clarification of the stage and form of cancer.

Also, patients often seek a second opinion to clarify the prognosis of the development of the disease and in order to verify the correctness of the planning of therapy consisting of one or more courses involving the use of expensive drugs. In some cases, patients use this service in order to obtain information about possible treatment options, their benefits and possible complications, well-being during and after treatment. An equally common reason for seeking a second opinion is to receive practical recommendations on nutrition rules and the daily schedule, to improve the quality of life. In addition, thanks to the second opinion, it is also possible to disassemble the legal aspect of treatment associated with insurance payments.

What this procedure looks like in practice

When the patient or his representatives apply for a "second opinion," the oncologist studies the presented medical documentation, assesses the current situation, specifics, established diagnosis and makes recommendations for further treatment. If the doctor does not have enough available information or is not sure of it, the doctor may recommend to undergo an additional examination to clarify the diagnosis and the degree of spread of the disease. Such measures help specialists clarify the diagnosis of the disease and draw up a more effective treatment program.

Cancer prevention

• Main article: Cancer Prevention Foundation

Notes