World Cancer Day is a powerful reminder of how this horrible disease impacts not only the person diagnosed but also the loved ones they leave behind. Earlier this month, we raised awareness and shared stories to honor the millions of people touched by cancer. For me, the observance holds a very personal significance: When I was 13 years old, I lost my mother to lung cancer.
Back then, the technology that might have made a difference in her diagnosis and care was in its infancy. Thankfully, today’s clinicians have access to more sophisticated advancements, including comprehensive EHRs supporting whole-person care, like Expanse. It provides a more connected, efficient, and personalized approach to oncology, from enhancing communication between care teams to offering real-time insights into patient progress. Tools and features like Care Compass, Survivorship, Oncology treatment plans, and Genomics promise better outcomes for patients, more streamlined care, and accelerated medical research.
As we continue to honor the lives affected by cancer, we also celebrate how innovation is transforming the fight against this disease. Through improved coordination, data sharing, and precision medicine, technology is paving the way for a future in which cancer care is more effective, accessible, and tailored to individual needs.
Advancements in cancer care will not undo the heartbreak I felt when I lost my mother, but they do bring hope to others and may even save another child from experiencing the same loss. As technology continues to evolve, it offers better treatment options and personalized care, creating a world where the future of cancer diagnosis and management looks more promising. That’s why everything we do here at MEDITECH is about putting technology in the hands of the people who care for our loved ones.
In my mother’s memory, and in the hopes of sparing others from similar pain, I share my own story as a poignant reminder of why we must continue to progress in the fight against cancer. On World Cancer Day, we honor both the lives lost and the lives saved, with the belief that each step forward can make a difference for families everywhere.
Carol Labadini
Vice President
MEDITECH