T H E F U T U R E O F W I R E L E S S I N T H E R E TA I L S E C T O R
3. MRI detection of cognitive decline The Radiological Society of North America recently announced that a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique can detect signs of cognitive decline before symptoms occur. 4. Wearable data-storing devices With the introduction of Apple Watch, wearable data-storing devices are quickly becoming a popular trend. Fitness watches are dominating the health care market with their ability to track workouts, caloric loss or gain, sleep cycle schedules, and more. Engineers for companies such as Samsung, Apple, etc. are working hard to develop competing datastoring devices such as watches, armbands and bracelets to improve self-health care. According the Michael Blum, MD, Chief Medical Information Officer at UCSF Medical Center, “The next big thing in personal medical technology will be creating a next generation of truly useful devices and sensors that can send data to care providers. The only way this technology is going to revolutionize health is if it actually tells
doctors what they really need to know about their patients when they need to know it.� 5. Genomic-based tests Genomic-based testing allows doctors to study the interaction between cells and certain gene groups, as well as isolate gene groups to better understand their role within a specific cancer. By analyzing the genes within tumor, scientists and doctors are able to predict how the tumor will react to certain treatments, eliminating the emotional, financial, and physical cost of unnecessarily aggressive therapy. For example, not all breast cancer cases require chemotherapy for treatment; in fact, many patients can benefit from hormonal therapy with the help of genomic-based tests. With genomic-based tests, analyzing tumors in early-stage colorectal cancer can allow an oncologist to predict whether the cancer will reoccur within three years. With more accurate testing, individuals can have confidence knowing that their treatment is necessary, instead of paying for treatment patients are not sure they need.
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