August saw the announcement that German health imaging and medical devices giant, Siemens Healthineers’, is set to buy cancer device and software specialist Varian Medical Systems for $16.4bn. Whilst obviously an exciting move from Siemens, we’re interested to see how this acquisition will shape the future of cancer care, and what we might expect to see in the coming years.

As the market leader in the field of cancer care including radiation oncology, use of AI, machine learning and data analysis, approval from Varian’s shareholders will mean that Healthineers will acquire a market share of over 50% when it comes to radiation therapy.

This takeover is likely to significantly strengthen Siemens’ position in the field of oncology, alongside cardiology and neurology, and aligns with Healthineers’ report that there’s been a long-term rise in the incidence of cancer, from 14 million cases worldwide in 2019 to a predicted 25 million by 2030.

The acquisition of Varian could lead to two medical leaps in one

The combining of Healthineers and Varian looks set to make waves in the fight against cancer, in addition to improving overall patient healthcare; more hope for patients, more efficient and effective medical care for society and the opportunity for many to benefit from Varian’s innovation in radiotherapy and multi-disciplinary cancer care.

We know that Varian is a world leader when it comes to cancer care, where they are innovators within radiation oncology and related software; the company fosters a holistic approach to cancer care and makes use of technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analysis to expand access to care and further improve cancer treatment.

As we’ve already mentioned, it’s predicted that the prevalence of cancer could almost double by 2030, and this acquisition paints a bright outlook for the future of cancer care – improved cancer therapy solutions will continue to be developed, whether in the form of imaging for treatment planning, focused radiation therapy, or effective, personalised treatment.

Ultimately, the merging of these two companies could be a complete game changer for the future diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer. As we look to the future and see just how many more people are likely to be affected by the disease, it’s certainly encouraging to see how new technologies are expected to be used to improve patient outcomes and potentially change the future of cancer care altogether.