Electronic health records could soon plan an important role in advancing cancer care and research, possibly leading to fewer new cases of cancer and better survival rates for those who are diagnosed with the disease, according to a new report.

The paper from the American Society of Clinical Oncology pointed to the growing field of cancer panomics, which analyzes many different levels of cancer risk factors, including lifestyle, genetic and molecular factors that are unique to each individual.

The field of panomics can be a powerful predictive and diagnostic tool, but it requires tremendous amounts of data. EHRs could play a role in generating and tracking all of the information necessary for this growing field. Once doctors have a clearer picture of who is at risk, resources can be used more effectively and efficiently, the report states.

Harnessing information technology will be a major step in the right direction for those who treat and research cancer, but there is still a significant amount of progress that will need to take place before these benefits can be realized, according to the report. Currently, too few patients are being treated using EHRs. They will need to be utilized more widely to deliver on this promise.