Opinions

Old and emerging traits of cancer provide a common set of principles that may help research shape future progress 

Specific training for young oncologists, particularly in managing patient expectations regarding end-of-life treatment, is paramount in providing effective, patient-centred end-of-life care 

Recently presented results suggest that a subset of patients with early stage rectal cancer could skip pre-operative radiotherapy, thus raising some questions about the standard of care

Constant advocacy by patient groups at all levels is needed to help people with cancer navigate the healthcare system ensuring access to novel medicines which is still a major issue in different countries

While increasing evidence from studies support pregnancy after cancer treatment, data gaps persist, particularly regarding the impact of novel therapies on fertility 

Recent findings regarding the role of tumour promoters in cancer development should lead to a review of the mechanisms of action of existing environmental carcinogens

Identifying the trigger that switches neutrophils from protumour to antitumour activity in the tumour microenvironment could open the door to new therapeutic options

Technology promises to improve understanding of cancer risk and lesion biology, but clear regulation is urged to implement innovation in cancer screening programmes  

The key to overcoming barriers to effective prevention and treatment in resource-restricted settings involves cooperation between multiple organisations, including medical societies, patient groups, pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies 

Facilitating an open dialogue with patients, to better understand their needs, makes research efforts more valuable in the long-term