The importance of prevention and screening in the fight against cancer
Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The risk of developing cancer increases with age, and in Spain, with a population of approximately 47.3 million inhabitants that is increasingly aging, it is a matter of utmost concern. We must take into account that, from the age of 45, the probability of suffering from this disease grows significantly, reaching 41% in men and 28% in women by age 80.
In this context, prevention and early detection are vital to improve the prognosis of the disease and minimize its impact. It is therefore important to distinguish between primary prevention and secondary prevention.
Primary prevention: reducing risk before the disease appears
Primary prevention seeks to avoid the onset of cancer by acting on modifiable risk factors. Its goal is to reduce the probability of developing the disease through lifestyle changes and public health policies.
Dr. Josep Tabernero, Head of the Medical Oncology Department at Vall d’Hebron Hospital, Director of VHIO (Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology), and Chairman of the FERO Scientific Committee, emphasized in a recent interview on El món a RAC1 that nearly 45% of cancer cases could be avoided through lifestyle changes.
Some of these strategies include:
- Diet and exercise: Mediterranean diet, avoiding ultra-processed products, regular physical exercise, and weight control.
- Reduction of harmful substance consumption: Campaigns against tobacco and alcohol, which are major risk factors for multiple types of cancer.
- Vaccination: There are vaccines that reduce the risk of suffering from different types of cancer.
- Pollution and the environment: An increase in lung cancer is being observed in people who have never smoked, suggesting that air pollution, especially from combustion engines in cities, may be a key factor in the onset of this disease, in addition to the effect of certain factors such as radon gas.
Dr. Tabernero insists on the importance of vaccination in the prevention of certain types of cancer, highlighting two key cases:
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): The HPV vaccine prevents several types of cancer, such as cervical, some head and neck, and anal tumors. He recommends its administration to both girls and boys.
- Hepatitis B: The vaccine against this virus helps prevent liver cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease.
Secondary prevention: early detection as the key to a cure
For its part, secondary prevention aims for the early detection of cancer in asymptomatic individuals, in order to diagnose the disease in its early stages and improve the cure rate. This is carried out through population screening programs, which identify precancerous lesions or cancer in early stages.
As Dr. Aleix Prat, trustee and member of the FERO Grants jury, points out in his latest interview in La Vanguardia:
“Cancer is here to stay; it is a natural evolution and its possibilities increase as we get older, but we will try to prevent it where we can,” explains the oncologist, a pioneer in the application of genomics to select the best treatment for breast cancer. “The issue is, first, to detect it as soon as possible and, second, to treat it much more precisely.”
Screening: key programs in early cancer detection
Screening is a key strategy within secondary prevention. In Spain, there are organized programs within the National Health System (SNS) to detect the most prevalent cancers in the general population.
Breast cancer screening
- Target population: Women between 50 and 69 years old.
- Test used: Mammogram every two years.
- Goal: To detect tumors in early stages, before they are palpable, which significantly improves cure rates.
Colorectal cancer screening
- Target population: Men and women between 50 and 69 years old.
- Test used: Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every two years.
- Goal: To identify the presence of microscopic blood in the stool as a possible indicator of polyps or tumors in the colon. If the result is positive, a colonoscopy is performed to confirm the diagnosis and remove premalignant lesions.
Cervical cancer screening
- Target population: Women between 25 and 65 years old.
- Tests used: Cytology (Pap smear) every three years between ages 25 and 34. HPV test every five years from age 35.
- Goal: To detect abnormal cells in the cervix before they turn into cancer.
Lung cancer screening (pilot in Spain)
- Target population: Heavy smokers and former smokers between 50 and 75 years old.
- Test used: Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT).
- Goal: To detect lung cancer in early stages in high-risk individuals before they present symptoms. This screening is not yet implemented nationwide, but the Balearic Islands have launched a pilot program.
Challenges and opportunities in screening programs
Programs for
screening
have proven to be highly effective in
reducing cancer mortality
, as they allow for
early detection
.
Although they face
significant challenges:
- Low participation, especially in colorectal cancer screening, due to its voluntary nature.
- False positives or negatives, which can generate anxiety in patients.
- Inequality in access, with differences between autonomous communities that affect equity in prevention.
Why screening is key
- It remains one of the most effective tools to detect cancer in time and improve the survival rate.
- Participation is fundamental to the success of these programs.
- Although it is voluntary, it is recommended not to skip any tests, as early detection increases the chances of treatment success and reduces mortality.
Conclusion: prevention starts with you
Prevention starts with you, and at FERO we encourage you not to skip any check-ups or screenings. Your health depends on it.
