Cancer is one of the serious diseases riding high on the healthcare list today, with an estimated 12.7 million cancer cases emerging around the world every year. Despite improved diagnostics and treatment in recent years, the number of people dying from cancer is expected to rise to 26 million by 2030. The World Cancer Research Fund ranks the Netherlands as having the 12th highest rate in the world in terms of registered cancer cases.

These alarming numbers translate to an increased pressure on healthcare systems to come up with novel and innovative approaches.

On the basis of scientific breakthroughs in recent years, the explosion of knowledge in cancer research is set to deliver a continuous stream of new applications, and the Dutch are well on their way. Crucial developments in the treatment of different types of cancers such as colon, renal, brain and asbestos-related cancer have been achieved by harnessing the strong capabilities of the Dutch life sciences' landscape that includes a strong foundation in R&D and collaborative efforts between the public and the private sector.

Currently, there are 55,000 life science employees in the Netherlands with about 20 percent of the workforce comprising research staff, because of its knowledge intensive nature. Approximately 935 companies are active in the heath-related life sciences industry whilst another 150 companies follow R&D-focused business models.

The Netherlands' dense network of world-class universities and research institutes, private sector companies and clinical research organisations have contributed a great deal in the treatment of some cancers.