{"id":9160,"date":"2025-03-19T10:02:11","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T09:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/screening-and-prevention-the-keys-to-detecting-cancer-in-time\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T09:34:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T07:34:48","slug":"screening-and-prevention-the-keys-to-detecting-cancer-in-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/screening-and-prevention-the-keys-to-detecting-cancer-in-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Screening and prevention: the keys to detecting cancer in time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The importance of prevention and screening in the fight against cancer<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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. <\/p>\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6aa30c4467460&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6aa30c4467460\" class=\"wp-block-image wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/em6q7wkx3sd.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/cribado-y-prevencion-revisiones.jpg?strip=all&w=1920\" alt=\"Screening and prevention check-ups\"\/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Primary prevention: reducing risk before the disease appears<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr. Josep Tabernero<\/strong>, Head of the Medical Oncology Department at Vall d\u2019Hebron Hospital, Director of VHIO (Vall d\u2019Hebron Institute of Oncology), and Chairman of the FERO Scientific Committee, emphasized in a recent interview on <em>El m\u00f3n a RAC1<\/em> that nearly 45% of cancer cases could be avoided through lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of these strategies include:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Diet and exercise<\/strong>: Mediterranean diet, avoiding ultra-processed products, regular physical exercise, and weight control.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reduction of harmful substance consumption<\/strong>: Campaigns against tobacco and alcohol, which are major risk factors for multiple types of cancer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vaccination<\/strong>: There are vaccines that reduce the risk of suffering from different types of cancer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pollution and the environment<\/strong>: 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. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Tabernero insists on the importance of vaccination in the prevention of certain types of cancer, highlighting two key cases:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Human Papillomavirus (HPV)<\/strong>: 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. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Hepatitis B<\/strong>: The vaccine against this virus helps prevent liver cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Secondary prevention: early detection as the key to a cure<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <strong>Dr. Aleix Prat<\/strong>, trustee and member of the FERO Grants jury, points out in his latest interview in <em>La Vanguardia<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCancer 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,\u201d explains the oncologist, a pioneer in the application of genomics to select the best treatment for breast cancer. \u201cThe issue is, first, to detect it as soon as possible and, second, to treat it much more precisely.\u201d <\/p>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Screening: key programs in early cancer detection<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Breast cancer screening<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Target population<\/strong>: Women between 50 and 69 years old.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Test used<\/strong>: Mammogram every two years.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Goal<\/strong>: To detect tumors in early stages, before they are palpable, which significantly improves cure rates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Colorectal cancer screening<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Target population<\/strong>: Men and women between 50 and 69 years old.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Test used<\/strong>: Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every two years.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Goal<\/strong>: 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. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cervical cancer screening<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Target population<\/strong>: Women between 25 and 65 years old.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tests used<\/strong>:\n\nCytology (Pap smear) every three years between ages 25 and 34.\nHPV test every five years from age 35.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Goal<\/strong>: To detect abnormal cells in the cervix before they turn into cancer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Lung cancer screening (pilot in Spain)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Target population<\/strong>: Heavy smokers and former smokers between 50 and 75 years old.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Test used<\/strong>: Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Goal<\/strong>: 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. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6aa30c4468d8a&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6aa30c4468d8a\" class=\"wp-block-image wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/em6q7wkx3sd.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/cribado-y-prevencion-para-una-deteccion-precoz.jpg?strip=all&w=1920\" alt=\"Screening and prevention for early detection\"\/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Challenges and opportunities in screening programs<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Programs for<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">screening<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">have proven to be highly effective in<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">reducing cancer mortality<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">, as they allow for<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">early detection<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although they face<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">significant challenges:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Low participation<\/strong>, especially in <strong>colorectal cancer<\/strong> screening, due to its voluntary nature.<\/li>\n<li><strong>False positives or negatives<\/strong>, which can generate anxiety in patients.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inequality in access<\/strong>, with differences between autonomous communities that affect equity in prevention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why screening is key<\/h3>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It remains one of the most effective tools to <strong>detect cancer in time<\/strong> and improve the <strong>survival rate<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Participation<\/strong> is fundamental to the success of these programs.<\/li>\n<li>Although it is voluntary, <strong>it is recommended not to skip any tests<\/strong>, as early detection <strong>increases the chances of treatment success<\/strong> and reduces mortality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion: prevention starts with you<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prevention starts with you, and at FERO we encourage you not to skip any check-ups or screenings. Your health depends on it. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">At FERO, we turn your help into research for a future without cancer.<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Every donation adds hours of laboratory work and brings us closer to saving more lives.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9161,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"Prevention and screening: keys against cancer","_seopress_titles_desc":"Discover the importance of cancer prevention and screening: healthy habits, vaccination, and early detection to save lives.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[97],"tags":[118,100],"class_list":["post-9160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-outreach-and-prevention","tag-prevention","tag-screening"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9160"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9162,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9160\/revisions\/9162"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}