DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION IN CANCER MEDICINE

Great strides have been made in the field of cancer medicine towards understanding the fundamental biology of cancers. Impressive treatments have emerged, resulting in markedly prolonged survival for many patients. These advances mean that, within the next 20 years, cancer could become a chronic disease rather than a death warrant. But that promise depends on sustained investment in innovation, and on society's willingness to pay for that innovation.Realising this promise might be a problem for Europe where investment in medical science remains low compared to the United States which is driving global innovation in cancer technology (providing 55% of global funding for cancer although it only has 5% of the global cancer population) and where innovation is rewarded.If Europe is to continue to play a leading role in cancer medicine, it needs greater investment in R&D with an environment that supports and rewards innovation.