Cancer care and research involve vast amounts of sensitive patient data, including medical histories, treatment plans, and genetic information. Protecting this data is paramount for several reasons:
1. Patient Privacy: Patients trust healthcare providers with their personal health information. Breaching this trust by failing to protect their data can have serious ethical and legal consequences. 2. Regulatory Compliance: Healthcare organizations must comply with regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), which mandate the protection of patient information. 3. Research Integrity: Protecting research data ensures the integrity and credibility of cancer research. Unauthorized access or tampering can lead to inaccurate results and loss of funding.