Early Cancer detection in the Pacific

Abstract

Abstract Cancer is now the second leading cause of death across the South Pacific Region, and leading cause of death in at least two Pacific nations. As Pacific countries are also operating health systems with constrictive budgets and constrained resourcing, it can be difficult to quantify and obtain precise cancer measures and estimates such as incidence, morbidity, survival and mortality figures over time. It is acknowledged that within this resource constrained environment, the diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer patients is fraught with challenges and difficulties where routine tests and equipment may be unavailable and even vary from hospital to hospital. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) refers to tumour DNA fragments found in the blood circulation. Using a simple blood test, these fragments can be identified by the presence of mutations in cancer genes and can be isolated and quantified to provide information concerning cancer’s size and progression. It is anticipated this simple method of detecting and monitoring cancer will enhance the precision of cancer diagnostics and surveillance and also lead to improved cancer health outcomes for Pacific Peoples in the Region. Preliminary engagement efforts with clinical and research persons were undertaken in order to understand the local context and explore the potential utility of ctDNA technology for early cancer detection to support and improve the diagnostics, care and health outcomes of cancer patients in the Solomon Islands. Interest was expressed in the possibility of utilizing a simple blood sample to allow detection and monitoring of cancer growth. The potential utility of ctDNA for early cancer detection remains a promising approach for cancer diagnostics.