Landmark initiative sparks conversation between pathologists and healthcare leaders

Leica Biosystems, a cancer diagnostics company, has announced the launch of The Future of Pathology – the catalyst for a conversation that brings together pathologists, hospital administrators and key stakeholders from across the care continuum to discuss the common goal of improving cancer diagnostics for today and for the future.

The Future of Pathology will identify the challenges, opportunities and trends healthcare providers and pathologists face in improving and transforming cancer diagnostics and the delivery of patient care. With cancer cases predicted to increase by 70% over the next two decades, developments that enable pathologists to diagnose cancer quickly and more accurately will be even more important.

The project was launched at an event at the Royal College of Pathologists in London, UK, as part of the celebrations around International Pathology Day.

“Pathologists play a crucial role in the past, present, and future of cancer care and research,” said Dr. Jerad Gardner, Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, United States. “The Future of Pathology brings together bright minds to tackle challenges and embrace opportunities in the pathology community so that we can continue to improve patients’ lives for generations to come.”

The Future of Pathology is designed to ignite the conversation about how we transform cancer diagnostics and advance patient care.

“Pathology is not always at the front of mind of hospital administrators and healthcare leaders, yet the role we can play in transforming cancer outcomes is huge. This project is about sharing the pivotal themes that can’t be ignored if we are to truly transform cancer diagnostics in the future,” said Dr Bethany Williams, Digital Pathology Fellow, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.

The Future of Pathology panel has identified four priority focus areas and recommendations on each focus area will be issued in the Future of Pathology report in early 2020.

They are:

• How can we raise the profile and improve the perception of Pathology?
• How do we train and retain the new generation of pathologists?
• How can we use technology to improve cancer diagnostics?
• How can we use molecular pathology to unlock the accessibility of personalized medicine?

The Future of Pathology is led by an international panel of pathologists driving a forward-thinking agenda of key issues and topics that matter to pathologists and healthcare leaders. The expert panel comprises Dr Matthew Clarke and Dr Bethany Williams from the UK, and Dr Jerad Gardner and Dr Tiffany Graham from the US. The panel will explore key issues and themes through a series of interviews with C-suite executives, cancer stakeholders, and pathology leaders.

The panel will share their perspectives and insights on the critical topics in cancer care that must be addressed through a series of blogs, articles, and the Future of Pathology report available early in 2020.

“We all want cancer to be detected at an earlier stage, with greater accuracy. Revolutionary discoveries in the science of cancer coupled with emerging technologies including artificial intelligence are poised to impact cancer diagnostics worldwide. Achieving large-scale change will be a journey requiring close partnerships between healthcare leaders, pathologists, and oncologists, as well as scientists and engineers. By seeking common ground among the diverse perspectives of pathologists and healthcare leaders, we hope that The Future of Pathology begins a new chapter in cancer diagnostics that will make a difference to patients’ lives,” commented Keith Wharton MD PhD FCAP, Sr. Medical Director, Leica Biosystems.

The Future of Pathology is a true partnership between Leica Biosystems, the pathology community and healthcare leaders. The initiative is the catalyst for a conversation, bringing together stakeholders from across the care continuum to discuss the common goal of improving cancer diagnostics. The Future of Pathology project is supported by Leica Biosystems.

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