Experts noted a considerable increase in survival in patients with cancer.

-in Spain, cancer is the leading cause of death in men and the second in women

– in our country are diagnosed a year 204,000 new cases and the overall survival at 5 years is above 50%, although it varies greatly depending on the type of tumor

-lung cancer is still the most deaths produces, with rates which are located around 85%

– has been that cancer stem cells and the stroma play a role very important in the initiation and development of pancreatic cancer

-support to cancer patients must be comprehensive because oncological disease covers different areas apart from the strictly medical: the social and psychological support is essential

Madrid, 2013-February on the occasion of the World Cancer day, celebrated on February 4, Chair innovation, health and communication from the University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) and the Observatory of Zeltia, have organized the seminar the fight against cancera commitment of all ”, held in the Faculty of Health Sciences of the URJC, located in Alcorcón. This training activity is part of the Chair program innovation, health and communication ” (ISC), which aims to teaching, research, dissemination and information in the field of the provision of health services, as well as the identification of needs and possibilities of improvement in performance, planning and management.

According to Dr. Marina Pollan, head of the epidemiology service of the Cancer of the National Center of epidemiology of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, in the world there are more than 13 million new cases of cancer each year, of which 8 million end in death. Spain is the leading cause of death in men and the second in women. In addition, new cases are diagnosed a year 204,000 and overall survival at 5 years is above 50%, although it varies greatly depending on the type of tumor. As message positive note, cancer is no longer a fatal disease and survival has increased significantly ”. In this context, lung cancer is still produced more deaths, with rates which are located around 85% ”. In the field of prevention, expert has listed as major risk factors, tobacco and obesity. The great struggle against cancer is to avoid its appearance ”.

from left to right: Regina Múzquiz, Director of institutional relations at PharmaMar; Cristina López Ibor, Director of programs of the Spanish Association against Cancer in Madrid; Manuel Hidalgo, Traslacional Investigación Deputy Director and head of the unit of digestive tumours of the National Center for cancer research (CNIO); Pilar Carrasco Garrido, Director of the Chair of ISC of the Rey Juan Carlos University; Marina Pollan, head of the epidemiology service of the Cancer of the National Center of epidemiology of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Ángel Gil de Miguel, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences of the health of the Rey Juan Carlos University; and Fernando Mugarza, director of communication of the Group Zeltia.

Moreover, Dr. Manuel Hidalgo, Traslacional Investigación Deputy Director and head of the unit of digestive tumours of the National Center for cancer research (CNIO), spoke of recent advances in addressing cancer of pancreas, a not so common tumor as others, but with one of the worst prognoses. Has been that cancer stem cells and the stroma play a role very important in the initiation and development of this tumor ”, says the expert. In addition, are being incorporated in the treatment of these patients different laboratory measurements that allow us to say that personalized medicine is coming to pancreatic cancer ”, says.

Integral to the cancer patient support

The vision of patients has been represented by Dr. Cristina López Ibor, Director of programs of the Spanish Association against Cancer in Madrid. Support for this group to be comprehensive because oncological disease covers different areas apart from the strictly medical: social and psychological support is vital ”, points. In this context, is important to the patient everything you may need, from an active psychological treatment to a purely financial aid ”. It must also take into account that these needs vary according to the different phases in which the disease is. La AECC provides coverage for the needs of the patient and their families ”.

Miguel angel Gil, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the URJC, highlighted advance legislative frameworks as the anti-tobacco law and its impact on the reduction of cases of lung cancer ”. Also referred to two large advances ” of 1986 with vaccination against the virus of hepatitis B for the prevention of primary cancer of liver, and 2007, with vaccination against the human papillomavirus for the prevention of cervical cancer. Finally, the expert has insisted on the observance of the European code against cancer, where it is advisable the daily practice of physical exercise, among other things. There is evidence that reduces the risk of cancers of the colon, breast, uterus and prostate ”.

The opening of the seminar also attended Pilar Carrasco Garrido, Director of the Chair of the URJC ISC; Regina Múzquiz, Director of institutional relations of PharmaMar, and Fernando Mugarza, director of communication of the Zeltia group. All of them have taken advantage of to publicize the goals and projects of the Chair of ISC to the there present and the general population. The Chair is an incentive and an encouragement with regard to the dissemination of the values associated with a communication that is adequate in terms of innovation in the field of health ”, said doctor Mugarza. Develops educational and research activities with the aim of expanding the knowledge of all sanitary areas deemed of interest to the whole of society ”.