A new program from the NIH titled 'Precision Surgical Interventions', put out a request in July for proposals from researchers to identify ways to "dramatically improve" surgery — specifically for cancer patients, Politico reported Aug. 21.
Each year, "corrective procedures and treatments cost the U.S. more than $1 billion each year," according to the outlet. So improving one of the first lines of treatment for cancer patients: surgery — could have ripple effects across the healthcare sector, Ileana Hancu, PhD, explained.
Dr. Hancu, program manager at the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, leads the new program and told the outlet that surgical innovations ranging from bedside medical devices, internal body imaging and smart surgical tools could reshape treatment and outcomes for cancer patients in the future.
"We’re hopeful that in a timespan of five to seven years, the tools that we develop will be in ORs across the countries," Dr. Hancu told Politico.
Experts are invited to submit research proposals for the program until Sept. 7.