Health Reminder of the Importance of Healthy Habits and Early Diagnosis in Treating and Fighting Cancer

Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol and tobacco are the best tools for preventing cancer.

Experts insist on the need to attend early detection programs for the most common tumors: colon and breast, since early detection improves the prognosis and treatment of any type of cancer.

The Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, as every year on February 4th, joins in the celebration of World Cancer Day with the aim of influencing the importance of public awareness about the early detection and control of cancer.

Cancer is a disease that causes a group of cells in the body to grow abnormally and uncontrollably, leading to the formation of lumps or lumps. This occurs in all types of cancer except leukemia (blood cancer). If left untreated, the tumor usually affects other areas of the body and spreads to other organs and tissues.

Currently, in Spain, cancer continues to be one of the groups of diseases of greatest importance for public health. Thus, in the general population, cancer is the second cause of death after diseases of the circulatory system, although in men it has been the first cause of death since 2000. In 2018, one in three deaths in men and one in five deaths in women were caused by cancer, accounting for more than a quarter of all deaths in Spain that year.

Early detection

Early detection of cancer is of fundamental importance, therefore there are certain diagnostic tests that guarantee detection of the disease at a very early stage, which is why the Canary Islands Health Service insists on the importance of attending screening appointments for the population. In the Canary Islands, population screening programs for breast and colorectal cancer have been in place since 1998 and 2009 respectively, and a cervical cancer screening program will begin this year.

During 2023, 138,459 people were scheduled to participate in the colorectal cancer prevention program in the Canary Islands, of whom 46,959 people came for testing. Of these, 2,317 positive tests were received.

For the Breast Cancer Early Detection Program, 166,948 women were eligible for mammograms last year, of whom 115,877 received mammograms. Of these, 3,683 people were referred to a reference hospital for more in-depth examination and follow-up. As a result, preliminary data indicates 587 cancer cases detected in 2023.

Risk factors

There are many types of cancer that a person can develop for several reasons. In many cases, risk factors cannot be changed, but about a third of cancers can be prevented by reducing underlying risk factors.

There are non-modifiable risk factors for developing this disease, such as age and genetics. Although there are others that can be controlled, such as alcohol, tobacco and drug use; Maintain a healthy diet and diet, engage in physical activity and exercise, avoid radiation or exposure to carcinogens, control certain infections, and encourage breastfeeding, which has a protective effect against the development of breast cancer.

In this context, the Ministry of Health is implementing the Healthy Lifestyle Circles initiative launched by the Directorate General of Public Health, a health promotion and noncommunicable disease prevention strategy aimed at promoting health through community-based educational interventions in the areas of tobacco smoking, diet, physical activity, alcohol and stress. All materials for this project are available on this website.

Vaccines also help reduce the risk of cancer. Therefore, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent most cases of cervical cancer and some types of vaginal and vulvar cancer. In addition, the hepatitis B vaccine may reduce the risk of liver cancer.

National estimates

Based on incidence data in the provinces where cancer is reported in the population and mortality data in all provinces, the incidence of cancer in Spain for 2024 was estimated.

According to these data, the total number of incidents calculated for 2024 is 286,664, of which 161,678 in men and 124,986 in women.

Among the general population, the most common tumor is colorectal tumor, with a total of 44,294 new cases reported. This is followed by breast cancer in women with 36,395 new cases, lung cancer with 32,768 new cases and prostate cancer with 30,316 new cases. Bladder cancer lags even further behind, with 22,097 new cases.

Based on gender, the most common cancers in men are prostate (30,316 cases), colon and rectum (27,009), lung (22,483 cases) and bladder (18,247 cases). In women, the most common lesions were the breast (36,395 cases), colon and rectum (17,285 cases), lungs (10,285 cases) and uterine body (7,305 cases). Although the total number of incidents is estimated to be 286,664 for 2024, this population of cases is distributed very differently depending on the age group. Among the youngest (0–44 years), the number is 15,938 (5.6 percent); among the middle-aged population (45-64 years old) – 99,391 (34.7 percent), among the elderly – 171,335 (59.7 percent).

Symptoms

There are many types of cancer, and symptoms vary from one person to another, but you should be on the lookout for one or more of the following symptoms: strange lumps or masses anywhere on the body; tiredness, tiredness, shortness of breath, or cough; unexpected bleeding or hemorrhage; sudden weight loss or lack of appetite; pain; difficulty swallowing, urinating, or performing any other physiological need; intense night sweats; changes in moles or spots on the skin or changes in the breasts.

Their appearance does not always indicate cancer, so if in doubt, you should consult your primary care physician.

Advances in Radiation Oncology

The Canary Islands have seen a quantum leap in access to treatment with the acquisition of new linear accelerators for radiation oncology units in Gran Canaria and Tenerife and the launch of radiation oncology units in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. which eliminates the need for patients from these health facilities to travel to referral hospitals in the capital islands.

In addition, work is underway to launch Proton Therapy, an advanced technology currently available in only two private hospitals in Spain and indicated for the treatment of certain types of cancer, including childhood cancer.