Early detection of cancer greatly increases the chances for successful treatment. There are two major components of early detection of cancer: education to promote early diagnosis and screening.
Pragmatist thought was largely developed in late 19th and early 20th century United States by the likes of C.S. Peirce, William James, John Dewey and others (Hammersley 1989), and, following James. The key to the pragmatic method is a commitment to end-causes and outcomes of practice, rather than abstract first-causes.
In conclusion do we direct our resources to screening cancer instead of understanding carcinogenesis?
The question of -omics screening is addressed here only. There is one big problem, data are so huge and we do not know what is important. As a mathematician, I do see one possible direction: that is looking for patterns in those huge data. Computationally, it is an extremely hard problem because we do not have computational tools that enable us to 'see' patterns. I do propose to do something similar what is currently done in arrhythmia detection and prediction. To search for hidden information and reveal it using specialised mathematical methods and tools. It really works, but there is a pitfall. Some do understand biology (MDs, biologists, biochemists) but they do not understand mathematics in depth. For mathematicians, it goes usually vice versa. People who are able to understand both sides are extremely rare. I do recommend to look at the pool of complex systems researchers. They can handle it, at least some of them.
Both screening and understanding carcinogenesis are relevant to cancer. The assumptions, supported by evidence that early detection of cancer enhances effective treatment and better survival. In the mean time, one of the principles of understanding disease including cancer is the adequate knowledge about causes, risk factors and biological pathways. Who does these? All partners: clinicians, epidemiologists, biologists, mathematicians (statisticians) and social scientists. Thus, I agree with the suggestions of Jiri to adopt system approaches, system research, team approach..etc
Very little effort in truly understanding carcinogenesis...reason why mortality has not substantially changed in 60 years...
Dear colleagues,
maybe my words will sound strong but systemic approach is the only way from the dead-end. Currently, there is under preparation with my colleague an introduction paper into complex systems in medicine. Once you will start to see the complexity from the within then you will understand easily. Complex systems are usually composed of many very simple components that under certain conditions produce complex responses and possibly higher level entities called emergents.
Please see the poster bellow, which serves as a very weak introduction into my review paper:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305751754_COMPLEX_SYSTEMS_AND_THEIR_USE_IN_BIOMEDICAL_RESEARCH_MATHEMATICAL_CONCEPTS_OF_SELF-ORGANIZATION_AND_EMERGENCE?ev=prf_high
We all have a great responsibility in developing new highly effective approaches of cancer treatment. It can be done. Why do I think it? The answer is simple: the very same approach is successful in detection and even prediction of arrhythmias (VT and VF).
Remark:
The introduction into complex systems from the computer science and mathematical point of view can be found bellow:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225413484_Introduction_to_Modeling_of_Complex_Systems_Using_Cellular_Automata?ev=prf_high
I am trying to promote complex systems in the project:
https://www.researchgate.net/project/Basics-Modeling-and-Understanding-of-Complex-Systems?_esc=profileProjectCards&_sg=dfxS_NwH7Odcq7hoDXI5lpiQ85JyzZ8fFFW0nm94ZPSRrgRVQOXyX8fDOQCXUP0o7WJ-f8aBgKbiZ-52xw48mA.e9n54zj5DvAaTvyQ2WNRf5exjbVXeYXOOnUiQa4EFLDQFXLcfZeXdCK0S48HmsIK.05XJUyDLASLu-TUGnYhNNOYuvzmPl-HejIk0Ffp4iecMYFF-8DwBMmFy4d_ldfLm&_viewIds%5B0%5D=tevj4YLR7EQPimUaAZ841iTl&_viewIds%5B1%5D=VHEgH3tmIkIKRaPA1NUr5vDr
No one can do everything; therefore, there is a stream of my work that is dealing with promotion complex systems in medicine.
Chapter Introduction to Modeling of Complex Systems Using Cellular A...
Poster COMPLEX SYSTEMS AND THEIR USE IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH: MATHEM...
Great thinking "out of the (medical) box". Keep on and I am optimist. There will be soon interesting results and outcome. As you sad, not many doctors understand math...
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Philosophy
- Ethics