Decentralising Cancer Diagnostics: Advances in Point-of-Care Biosensor Technologies and Digital Health Integration

Early detection remains a cornerstone of effective cancer management, yet conventional diagnostic systems are often centralised, costly, and inaccessible, particularly in resource-limited settings. Point-of-care (POC) biosensors offer a paradigm shift by enabling rapid, low-cost, and minimally invasive diagnostics at or near the patient. This review synthesises recent advances in biosensor technologies for decentralised oncology diagnostics, focusing on electrochemical, optical, and microfluidic platforms enhanced by nanomaterials for improved sensitivity and specificity. We examine how device miniaturisation and biorecognition engineering support real-world deployment, and how integration with digital health infrastructure, including wireless communication, cloud analytics, and AI-driven decision support, enables connected, patient-centric care. Translational challenges such as regulatory ambiguity, manufacturing scalability, and infrastructure readiness are critically assessed, alongside implementation strategies for equitable access in global health contexts. Finally, we highlight emerging innovation trajectories in wearable biosensing, organoid-based validation, and multi-omics integration, positioning next-generation biosensors as pivotal tools in advancing precision oncology and diagnostic equity.