Radiology: Volume 259: Number 3-June 2011
Hedvig Hricak, MD, PhD, Dr(hc)
It is a great honor and privilege to deliver the 2010 Radiological Society of North America Presidential Address. Due to the explosive growth in technology and the emergence of systems biology, radiology is once again presented with an extraordinary array of opportunities. In this address I will use the example of imaging in cancer care to illustrate why our discipline is in a remarkably strong position to guide and advance the practice of medicine in the 21st century. In attempting to outline a path forward, I will also consider some of the major challenges we must address if we are to provide the leadership that our new capabilities demand of us.
Cancer continues to pose a tremendous and mounting global challenge. It is now the world's leading cause of death, and it exacts an enormous economic toll (1-3). In 2008, the global economic burden from premature death and disability from cancer was $895 billion, or 1.5% of the world's gross domestic product (3). In the next 20 years, the number of new cancer diagnoses made annually is expected to increase 45% in the United States and more than 100% around the world, with the majority of new cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries (1,2,4,5).
The ultimate goal in addressing this global challenge is to develop and implement preemptive medicine based on genetic and molecular diagnostics and interventions (6). However, the tools for preemptive medicine are only just emerging. For the next 5-10 years we need to concentrate on improving prevention, early detection, and access to care, and we need to engage in personalized medicine to the fullest extent possible (4,7).