Exercise, a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol and tobacco to prevent cancer

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

According to the Ministry of Health, preliminary data indicates 587 cases of cancer detected in 2023 in the Canary Islands.

Among the general population of Spain cancer is the second cause of death after diseases of the circulatory system, although in men since 2000 this has been the leading cause of death.

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.

For this reason, the early detection of cancer is of fundamental importance, which is why there are certain diagnostic tests that guarantee the detection of the disease at a very early stage, which is why the Canary Islands Health Service insists on the importance of attending screening visits 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.

The Ministry of Health stressed that there are non-modifiable risk factors for developing this disease, such as age and genetics.

Modifiable risk factors

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.

vaccine They also help reduce the risk of cancer, which is why the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent most types of cervical cancer, as well as some types of vaginal and vulvar cancers.

In addition, the hepatitis B vaccine may reduce the risk of liver cancer.

The Canary Islands government also stressed that work is underway to introduce 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 pediatric ones. one.