Marina Pollán, director of the National Center for Epidemiology at the Carlos III Health Institute, warned that due to Spain’s aging population, there will be a “tsunami” of cancer cases and an impact on the national health system.
Marina Pollán, director of the National Epidemiology Center of the Carlos III Health Institute, warned of a “tsunami” of cancer cases due to the increase. Ageing Spanish Population and Its Impact on Spain health system The country’s. Furthermore, the data warn that smoking, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle will influence this “crescendo” trend. Oncological diseases.
this cancer incidence is increasing with 47% increase Over the next two decades, this means “public finance and health budgetElisabete Weiderpass, director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization (WHO), said.
In this sense, he recalled during the event that countries with fewer resources, without the technology to diagnose and treat cancer and “without the appropriate political climate” for effective prevention will be the “most affected” by the increase in cancer cases. . This is what is expected around the world.
However, the impact of poverty on people risk develop cancer This is also true in rich countries, given the incidence rates among different social groups. There is a “huge disparity” in cervical cancer death rates in Europe between the wealthiest women with better education and the poorest with less education, the director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer has said.
“To avoid this, it is necessary that screening campaigns target mainly women of lower socioeconomic status,” he added at the conference “How to reduce cancer risk? For prevention, research”, conducted by the National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) )organize.
“Tobacco, public enemy number one”
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About major habits and carcinogensWadepas specifically named tobacco, which he defined as “public enemy number one” and “the most important step we should take today is to eliminate tobacco on a global scale.”
The expert also expressed her “concerns” about new ways of consuming tobacco, such as e-cigarette. “They are an open door The new generation becomes dependent on This substance will kill a lot of people,” he warned.
On the other hand, the herbicide glyphosate, widely used in European agriculture, is “possibly carcinogenic” because the World Health Organization has solid evidence that it causes cancer in animal and cell models, but not enough data in humans. Also in the same category are red meat and night shift work, among others.
he Aspartame, a sweetener Its consumption does not prevent obesity and is considered “possibly carcinogenic.” This is a subgroup of the classification for which there is even less evidence in humans, and which includes risks such as occupational exposure for hairdressing and barbershop workers.
Alcohol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and other cancer-causing pathogens
Experts also point to obesity as an “increasingly important” factor in increasing the risk of 12 different types of cancer. Wadepas reviewed the importance of limiting intake of high-calorie and ultra-processed products; eating more fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts; and engaging in daily physical activity.
As for AlcoholVedpath recalled, this was related to as much as Seven different types of cancer. “Just two drinks a day can be enough to cause very significant damage,” Wadepas said.
number smokes and Spain’s obesity problem, noting 20% of adults in Spain Smoking makes two-thirds of men and half of women overweight. As in other countries, the problem affects more disadvantaged areas.
Experts pointed out “Giving Up” the Mediterranean Diet. “We are changing our Anglo-Saxon-influenced eating habits, and the consequences are already showing in morbidity, particularly colorectal cancer, which is now one of the leading tumors in our country,” he details.
“botellón” for young people The Spaniard also worries experts. “They’re consuming a lot of alcohol in a very short period of time. We still don’t have the epidemiological method to measure how that translates into cancer rates, but it won’t,” predicted the director of the National Epidemiology Center.
Another risk factor is infection. The most important pathogens are Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis B and C. “Fortunately, we have at least two very effective vaccines: against HPV and against hepatitis B,” he said. Weiderpass added. “Investing in vaccination is one of the most effective measures a government can take,” he recalled.
Finally, Weiderpass, Pollan and CNIO Director Maria A. Blasco insisted on the importance of public prevention policies. The three agreed that “healthy things should be made easy and unhealthy things should be made difficult.”