A study carried out by the Spanish Association Against Cancer reflects how social and economic inequalities, coming to influence more “the postal code and the credit card”, endanger equity in health and cancer
On the occasion of World Cancer Day, which was commemorated on February 4, the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) released the first report on cancer inequality in Spain with the aim of pointing out the inequities that aggravate this disease.
The study reflects how inequalities for social, economic, demographic or geographic reasons are factors that intervene in both health and disease, and that have been a concern on the Spanish political agenda for years. However, inequity is still present.
The act in which this report was presented on the occasion of World Cancer Day, was chaired by Doña Letizia and was attended by the Minister of Health, Caroline Darias.
Inequity in the field of cancer
Living and working conditions, medical care and social policies such as occupation, income, social and relational vulnerability, and education, imply differences and inequality in the face of cancer.
A part of the population does not have the same opportunities to prevent and detect tumors early.
For example, in seven Autonomous Communities still It has not been possible for the population at risk (50 to 69 years) to have access to a colorectal screening program.
The economy as a factor
Socioeconomic status is a strong factor in inequality, since the direct and indirect economic cost of cancer is greater than €10,000 during illness in 41% of families.
These expenses could be unaffordable for nearly 30,000 people diagnosed with cancer who are in a vulnerable situation: unemployed, self-employed or people with a salary below the Minimum Interprofessional Salary.
The economic and labor impact affects aspects of the life of the diagnosed person.
It is estimated that 10% of people who have been diagnosed with cancer in Spain in 2021 were in a situation of socioeconomic vulnerability at the time of diagnosis.
The incidence of cancer in people in a situation of socioeconomic vulnerability in Spain stands at 27,803.
This makes dependency on third parties increase by 6% in upper class cases and 25% in middle and lower class cases.
Social and emotional impact
Loneliness is a major problem that has a strong impact on physical and emotional health.
In Spain, it is estimated that 48,508 people diagnosed with cancer each year live alone.
To these are added 69,032 new diagnoses in couples over 65 years of age, who may find demographically similar situations.
Linked to the diagnosis is the emotional discomfort that it generates in patients and families, discomfort that requires clinical intervention in almost 30% of cases.
Here the problem is found in the scarcity of own personnel to carry out psychological care in cancer or if it exists it is insufficient.
Also, in 7 out of 10 hospitals, hospital staff do not provide any type of psychological care to relatives of people with cancer.
tobacco and alcohol
Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of disease, disability and death in the world.
42% of the Communities do not have specific regulations to prevent tobacco smoke, responsible for 30% of cancer cases, that affects 43% of children under 12 exposed to tobacco smoke in public spaces.
Tobacco consumption causes 52,000 annual deaths in Spain, where 22 percent of the population is still a smoker.
Alcohol consumption also poses a risk, which is increased linked to tobacco consumption. In Spain, alcohol consumption is associated with 7% of cancer cases.
Obesity, diet and cancer
Obesity is a growing problem that already affects more than six million people (16%). Almost thirteen million are overweight (37.6%).
This means that more than half of the Spanish population has a Body Mass Index that poses a risk of developing cancer in the future, as well as other diseases.
Numerous studies have linked educational level, employment status, and household net income to obesity risk.
Regions such as Andalusia, Murcia, Valencia, the Canary Islands and Asturias are among the most affected by this problem.
‘Equal?’, a campaign for equity
Through this campaign, the AECC shows the inequality that exists in facing cancer, preventing it, living with it or accessing research results.
His study reflects that not everyone is the same when it comes to cancer and that the lines of equality affect more “because of the postal code than by the genetic code, the credit card more than the health card and the need to investigate more those tumors with low or stagnant survival.”
What does the AECC propose for equality?
Laws and regulations that include measures that help better protect future generations against the inequality that exists in cancer:
- Regulate new tobacco products in their promotion, advertising (including digital media and plain packaging) and sale.
- Promote spaces free of tobacco smoke.
- Raise prices and taxes on all tobacco products.
- That regulate the promotion and advertising directed at minors (eg, PAOS Code) and increase taxes and prices of unhealthy foods and sugary drinks.
- That promote the prevention of alcohol consumption in minors.
- The involvement of regional and local administrations to adopt healthy eating and physical activity measures in schools.
- The involvement of citizens to achieve a healthier next generation.
Data in Spain
In Spain, it is estimated that the number of new cases of cancer has been around 285,500 in 2021.
The most prevalent tumors have been colorectal cancer (14.33%), prostate (12.30%), breast (12.02%), lung (10.37%) and other skin cancers (7.77%), of higher proportion.
Mortality reaches 109,589 people, with lung, colorectal, pancreas, breast, prostate, liver, stomach, bladder and leukemia being the 10 cancers with the highest number of deaths.
Regarding palliative care, Spain is well below the recommended ratios with 0.6 units per 100,000 inhabitants (2 units per 100,000 are needed), according to the European Association for Palliative Care.
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