Gastrointestinal cancers: Therapeutic progress, diagnostic challenges, and the imperative of prevention

Cancers of the digestive tract—gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic—remain some of the most formidable challenges in modern oncology. Collectively, they account for a significant portion of global cancer mortality, with survival rates for advanced stages remaining stable [ 1 ]. Recent research reveals a common narrative across these malignancies: while significant strides are being made in personalized therapy and refined diagnostics, a critical gap persists in prevention and early detection. Ultimately, a dual strategy that simultaneously advances precision medicine and public health initiatives is essential to meaningfully reduce the global burden of these diseases.