One third of the Spanish population will have cancer

The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) presented on Tuesday the devastating figures of cancer in Spain for 2016, according to which "one third of the Spanish population will have cancer"Like every year around World Cancer Day (which is celebrated today, February 4), the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology has presented the figures of cancer in Spain revealing a serious increase in the incidence of cancer in our country.

The SEOM explained the increase in the number of registered cases and highlighted the vital importance of clinical trials to advance the treatment and cure of cancer, producing the video: Clinical trials, an opportunity for patients.


Deaths from cancer increase dangerously

The figure of Cancer incidence expected for 2020 increases by 15 percent. Against the 215,534 new cases registered in the 2012 figures, we would face 246,713 new cases of cancer in 2020, of which the 40% will be women and 60% men. The main factors that explain the increase in the number of diagnoses are the effectiveness of early diagnosis techniques (screening), life habits, the increase in population and its aging (in 2015 there were more deaths than births, a fact unprecedented in our country).

Lung cancer is the cause of the highest death rate


Colon cancer is the most frequent in Spain, followed by prostate cancer (the most common in men), lung cancer, breast cancer (the first among cancer cases recorded in women) and bladder cancer. Although the prevalence rate (number of patients diagnosed with a type of cancer that survive during the first year) is generally high, what is worrying is the predicted increase in the number of deaths. In 2012, cancer claimed 102,762 lives, but by 2020, 15% more deaths are expected.

Despite being among the most 'deadly', the prevalence rates of prostate cancer and breast cancer (the most frequent among the male and female population, respectively) are the highest. Lung cancer is the cause of most deaths, specifically 20% of the total, followed by colon cancer (14%), breast (6%), pancreas (5.5%) and prostate (5.3%). However, the SEOM warns that one third of cancer deaths are avoidable, if obesity, sedentary lifestyle and tobacco consumption are combated.


The fight against cancer: clinical trials

As has already been anticipated, in view of the world cancer day, SEOM wanted to highlight the importance of clinical trials in the fight against cancer. With the video you have produced, remember that the vast majority of cancer treatments Current cases come from previous clinical trials. Only in 2015, 320 trials in oncology were approved, approximately 40% of the total clinical trials approved in Spain, financed mostly by the pharmaceutical industry.

This increase in the prominence of the clinical trial in the health medical scenario, as the main weapon against cancer and other diseases, promoted the approval of Royal Decree 1090/2015 of December 4, 2015, which regulates clinical trials with drugs. Under this Royal Decree, patients must be present or duly represented to ensure that they are fully informed of clinical trials, protocols, and inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Also with a growing presence in the battle against cancer, the role of volunteerism was the star of the V Forum Against Cancer, chaired yesterday by Queen Letizia, honorary president of the Spanish Association Against Cancer. More and more specialists recommend the presence of volunteers, which is why the AECC claimed the integration of volunteering in the medical health system. Some 30,000 Spaniards face cancer alone and the AECC warns of the need to accompany them and that the risk of isolation and loneliness in cancer patients is increasing.

Marga Wesolowski

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