From left to right: Maria A. Blasco, Director of CNIO; Marina Pollán, Director of CNE-ISCIII; Elisabete Weiderpass, Director of International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); Cristina Villanueva, journalist, event host; and many more César López-Palop, President of the Mingo Martinez Foundation. /Laura M. Lombardía.National Information Office
Elisabete Weiderpass, director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), stressed that half of cancer cases are caused by preventable causes such as smoking, alcohol abuse and poor diet.
Marina Pollán, director of the National Center for Epidemiology, stressed that in Spain, 20% of adults smoke and two-thirds of men and half of women are overweight.Problems are more serious in poor areas
In Spain, abandoning the Mediterranean diet has led to increased colorectal cancer rates
How can you reduce your risk of cancer today?In the interest of prevention, the CNIO organizes research at the Caixaforum in Madrid on the occasion of World Cancer Research Day
“Cancer is already the leading cause of death in 57 countries, including all of Europe – including Spain,” and by the end of the century it will be “the leading cause of death before the age of 70 in all countries in the world,” he said. Elizabeth Wadepas,director international agency for research on cancer (International Agency for Research on Cancer), day How to reduce your risk of cancer?For prevention, researchorganized by the National Center for Research on Cancer (CNIO) on the occasion of World Cancer Research Day.
The event, which is open to the public and takes place at the Forum Auditorium of the Caisse de Madrid, is aimed at preventing cancer. This is an area of particular importance because, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), about half of all cancer cases are caused by preventable causes, so by changing habits and eliminating Cancer can be avoided. Carcinogens.
The incidence of cancer is increasing. Wadepas warned that projected growth of 47% over the next two decades would mean “increasing pressure on public finances and health budgets”.
He explained that the situation in Spain is completely consistent with the international situation Marina PollanDirector of the National Epidemiological Center (Institute of Health Carlos III, ISCIII): “We are one of the countries with the highest life expectancy; but the aging of the population exposes our health system, which has always been very good, universal and public . Tsunami of cancer cases, because an aging population will lead to an increase in chronic diseases. “
Cancer costs the world $1.2 trillion every year
Weiderpass said the annual global cost of cancer is estimated at at least $1.2 trillion. This figure includes specific health care and pharmaceutical costs as well as indirect costs (such as lost productivity due to premature death) which are increasing in all countries.
But the increases are not equal.where will it be Especially in poor countries“Countries with fewer resources, no technology to diagnose and treat cancer, and insufficient political climate for effective prevention will be the most severely affected,” warned Wadepas. For him, “promoting equitable access to treatment It is crucial to solve this major problem. “The challenge of the next 20 years,” he emphasized.
Poverty is also a risk factor in Spain
The impact of poverty on cancer risk is also seen in wealthy countries, given the incidence rates among different social groups. Weiderpass presented data on cervical cancer, which can be prevented through regular testing and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
“In Europe, we found huge differences in cervical cancer mortality between the richest and most educated women and the poorest and least educated women,” said the director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. To avoid this, “Screening campaigns should first target women of lower socioeconomic status.”
Tobacco, the main “public enemy” also exists in the form of “e-cigarettes”
Regarding the major cancer-causing habits and substances, Weiderpass first points out that tobacco: “He is public enemy number one. The most important step we should take today is to eliminate tobacco globally,” he stressed. “I am very worried about new consumption methods, such as e-cigarettes, because they open the door to a new generation. .Dependence on a substance that will kill many people.”
The World Health Organization relies on assessments by agencies managed by Wade Pass to identify and classify carcinogens.There is currently enough evidence to consider Carcinogenic to humans In addition to tobacco, there are also Alcoholthis sausage (processed meat), ionizing radiationthis Air Pollution and over a hundred other substances.
Glyphosate, night work and red meat
herbicide Glyphosate“Possibly carcinogenic”, which is widely used in European agriculture, because the World Health Organization has conclusive evidence that it causes cancer in animal and cell models, but not enough data in humans. Also included in the same category are red meat, night shift work, high-temperature frying and the pesticide DDT.
he aspartameWadepas stressed that this is a sweetener whose consumption Does not prevent obesity, considered “possibly carcinogenic.” It is a subgroup of this classification for which there is even less evidence for humans and which includes risks such as occupational exposure of persons. Hair salons and barber shops.
‘Very effective’ vaccine protects against alcohol, obesity and infections
Experts also pointed out obesity as an increasingly important factor, This increases 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 Alcohol“has been linked to up to seven different types of cancer. Just two drinks a day can be enough to cause very significant damage,” Wadepas said.
Another risk factor is Infect.The most important pathogens are Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis B and C. “Fortunately, we have at least two very effective vaccines: a vaccine against HPV and a vaccine against hepatitis B,” Weiderpass added. “Investment in vaccination is one of the most effective measures a government can take.”
Spain: Abandonment of Mediterranean diet leads to increased overweight and cancer among children
Marina Poland Update Smoking and obesity data in Spain: 20% of adults in Spain smoke, and two-thirds of men and half of women are overweight. As in other countries, the problem affects more disadvantaged areas.
The abandonment of the Mediterranean diet (vegetables, legumes, fruits, olive oil, nuts, small amounts of meat) is already clinically noticeable: “We are moving towards a diet of Anglo-Saxon influence”, the consequences of which are already being felt in the population come out. Incidence “especially of colorectal cancer, which is currently one of the leading tumors in our country.”
Mediterranean countries Italy, Greece and Spain “currently lead the rates of overweight and obesity among children.”
he bottle of young spanish Also concerning: “They consumed 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 doesn’t,” says director of the National Epidemiology Center predict.
Poland said recent research shows that “the greatest association between alcohol and breast cancer occurs with drinking during adolescence”; furthermore, “those who begin consumption in adolescence should maintain or increase consumption later in life.”
policy makes “It’s easy to be healthy, but it’s hard to be unhealthy.”
Weiderpass, Pollan and CNIO Director Maria A. Blasco – who explained at the meeting how the CNIO conducts its research – insisted at the round table on the importance of public prevention policies. We must “make healthy things easy and unhealthy things difficult.” For example, through taxes.Evidence reveal For example, raising the price of tobacco reduces consumption.
Regulation is necessary, especially for factors where we have no choice whether to expose ourselves, such as air pollution or ingesting pesticides that are banned in Europe, but not in other regions where fruits and vegetables are imported.
european cancer code
Wadepas recalls that the scientific evidence for prevention was compiled in the European Code Against Cancer, which included little-known habits such as:
- Breastfeeding advice
- Moderate hormone replacement therapy
- Vaccinate newborns against hepatitis B and girls against HPV
- Find out if we are exposed to radon in our homes
- Find out if we are exposed to carcinogens at work.
Efforts are currently underway to make the code applicable to other parts of the planet and “it is important to establish a global cancer code” that would also help prevent recurrence in cancer survivors.
Roundtable participants include Cesar Lopez-PalopPresident of the Domingo Martinez Foundation (FDM), which is Charitable Initiatives Friends of CNIO. Lopez-Palop emphasized the importance of society as a whole understanding the need for cancer research.
The day’s activities were hosted and introduced by reporters Christina Villanuevathe author of this book unfold candle. The event ended with Spanish wines, supported by the “la Caixa” foundation.
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