The government reminds that prevention, early detection and healthy habits are key to the fight against cancer
This Sunday, February 4th, is World Cancer Day.
PALMA, February 3 (EUROPE PRESS) –
The Government, through the Ministry of Health, has reminded that prevention, early detection and a healthy lifestyle are key in the fight against cancer, on the occasion of World Cancer Day, which is celebrated this Sunday, February 4th.
In a press release, the Ministry of Health recalled that since 2000 in Spain, cancer has been the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. This represents a major public health problem; This carries high costs, both medical, emotional and social, and requires a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and coordinated approach.
In this sense, every year on February 4, World Cancer Day is celebrated, a day of global significance, which this year, under the motto “For fairer care”, invites us to recognize the importance of prevention, adopting healthy lifestyles, carrying out early detection tests and supporting those who is struggling with this disease.
Thus, according to estimates by the Spanish Network of Cancer Registries (Redecan), 286,664 cases will be diagnosed in 2024, which is 2.6% more than in the previous year.
Taking into account both men and women, the most common cancers were colorectal (44,294 new cases), breast (36,395), lung (32,768), prostate (30,316) and bladder (22,097).
If we talk about the most common cancers among men, these are prostate cancer (30,316), colon and rectal (27,009), lung (22,483) and bladder (18,247).
In women, on the contrary, these are lesions of the breast (36,395), colon and rectum (17,285), lungs (10,285) and uterine body (7,305). In addition, the incidence of lung cancer continues to rise among women, due to the rise in tobacco addiction among women since the 1970s.
Thus, the trend in recent years that lung and bladder cancers are declining in men and that lung cancer will continue to increase significantly among women in future years is striking.
In general, the reasons for this increase are due to increasing population, aging population and the adoption of unhealthy habits and lifestyles such as alcohol, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and unhealthy diet. In addition, promotion of early detection programs for breast, colon, rectal and cervical diseases also has an impact on increasing early detection rates.
In terms of mortality, the reduction is evident due to improved survival of people diagnosed with a tumor as a result of the promotion of healthy habits and lifestyles, early detection programs and new treatments.
In the Balearic Islands, according to the Balearic Institute of Statistics (Ibestat), 2,420 people died from cancer in 2022 – 948 women and 1,472 men. Among women and depending on the location, those that affected the breast predominated; secondly, the colon and rectum and, thirdly, the trachea, bronchi and lungs. In men, the one that affects the trachea, bronchi and lungs; secondly, the colon and rectum and, thirdly, the prostate gland.
Although there are factors associated with cancer that cannot be changed, such as age, people can overcome this disease if they adhere to the early detection programs and monitoring of healthy habits and lifestyle offered by the Ministry of Health.
PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION CAMPAIGN
The cancer prevention campaign launched by the ministry reminds us of the importance of practicing healthy habits and participating in early detection programs. Healthy habits are key to reducing the likelihood of developing the disease and detecting a tumor early, as well as how a precancerous lesion exponentially increases the likelihood of its treatment.
In fact, if most people acted on these risk factors and regularly attended early detection programs, more than a third of all cancers could be avoided and others could be treated early or palliatively. By living a healthy lifestyle, more than 41,000 deaths and 64,800 new cases of cancer could be avoided in Spain.
Incorporating healthy lifestyle habits into your daily life, such as eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and not smoking, drinking, or excessive sun exposure, goes a long way toward reducing your risk of cancer.
One of the main risk factors for many types of cancer – lung, oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, stomach, bladder and kidneys – is tobacco addiction. However, the benefits of quitting begin to appear from day one, and 10 years after quitting, the risk of dying from lung cancer is halved.
On the other hand, unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and alcohol consumption are collectively associated with colorectal, esophageal, kidney, liver, stomach, breast and endometrial cancers.
In addition, exposure to ultraviolet radiation has been linked to an increase in skin cancer, and certain chemicals and radiation have been linked to various types of cancer.
EARLY DETECTION PROGRAMS
For this reason, early detection programs for breast, colon and rectal cancer have been developed in the Balearic Islands for many years, targeting the healthy population aged 50 to 69 years.
In addition, the EinaSalut program has been developed to enable citizens, the communities in which they live, work and interact, and institutions to make optimal health decisions.
And, on the other hand, the Cancer Control Strategy of the General Directorate of Public Health of the Ministry of Health has aligned itself with the European Code of Cancer Control in terms of measures that have been proven effective in preventing it.