El cáncer de colon y recto o cáncer colorrectal, es una de las enfermedades con más incidencia en el país y una de las cinco neoplasias malignas con mayor tasa de mortalidad en Cali. Sin embargo, es prevenible y curable si se detecta a tiempo.
Por esta razón y a propósito del Día Mundial contra el Cáncer de Colon, que se conmemora este jueves (31.03.2022), la Secretaría de Salud Pública Distrital hace énfasis en la necesidad de estar atentos a los factores de riesgo y adoptar hábitos de vida saludable para disminuir la posibilidad de desarrollar esta patología.
A nivel mundial, este cáncer es el tercero que más casos nuevos reporta anualmente, por detrás del de mama y pulmón. Según datos del Observatorio Global de Cáncer (Globocan), en 2020 hubo 1.931.590 nuevos diagnósticos de la enfermedad y una tasa de mortalidad de 9 por cada 100 mil personas.
En Colombia, según datos de la Cuenta de Alto Costo (el fondo colombiano de enfermedades de alto costo), entre el 2 de enero de 2020 y el 1 de enero de 2021, se detectaron 3267 casos nuevos de cáncer de colon y recto, ubicándose en el segundo lugar, por debajo del cáncer de mama y por encima del de próstata.
La tasa de mortalidad a nivel nacional por este cáncer es de 6,03 por cada 100 mil habitantes. En Cali, la cifra llega a 8,57 por cada 100 mil, siendo uno de los tipos de cáncer que más muertes origina, junto al de mama, el de cuello uterino, el de próstata y estómago.
¿Cómo se origina? El colon, explica el médico cirujano oncólogo Alden Gómez, tiene como principal función absorber el agua y mantener el equilibrio o la hidratación del cuerpo, además de la absorción de electrolitos (sodio y cloro). “No absorbe nutrientes porque estos ya se han absorbido previamente en el intestino delgado”, precisa.
El cáncer ocurre cuando se forman células malignas (cancerosas) en los tejidos del colon. La mayor parte de los casos está relacionada con la aparición de pólipos (crecimientos anormales de células) en el revestimiento de esa zona.
Aunque no todos los pólipos son cancerosos, algunos tienen el potencial de convertirse en cáncer con el paso del tiempo. Detectarlos a tiempo es fundamental para prevenir la enfermedad.
“El principal factor de riesgo para desarrollar cáncer de colon es tener un pólipo adenomatoso, pero existen algunos otros factores: la edad, el consumo de tabaco y alcohol, la obesidad (que es un estado permanente de inflamación), una dieta pobre en fibra y el sedentarismo”, agrega el doctor Gómez.
Los síntomas… El cáncer de colon y recto puede tener varios síntomas, aunque en sus etapas iniciales es asintomático, comenta el médico oncólogo. Así, una persona puede tener pólipos o incluso haber desarrollado la enfermedad y no saberlo.
“En sus etapas tardías o avanzadas, el paciente puede tener anemia, síntomas de debilidad, puede haber cambios en las heces, que sean más delgadas, que el paciente haga deposición en bolitas o que tenga diarrea por un periodo mayor a dos semanas”, añade el especialista.
Ante estos síntomas u otros como sangre en la materia fecal, pérdida de peso inexplicable o sensación de que el intestino no se vacía por completo, se debe consultar al médico.
Prevención… El cáncer de colon y recto es uno de los tipos de neoplasias malignas que pueden ser prevenidas e, incluso, tratadas si se detectan a tiempo, con tamizaje mediante colonoscopia o prueba de sangre oculta en heces.
“La mejor manera de prevenir el cáncer es detectando el pólipo o modificando los factores tales como la dieta, que sea rica en fibra; o realizando ejercicio. Buscamos los pólipos mediante una colonoscopia, que idealmente debe ser después de los 50 años en población asintomática”, puntualiza el doctor Alden Gómez.
Fuente: Comunicaciones Secretaría de Salud Pública Distrital
Por causa del cáncer de cuello uterino -o cáncer de cérvix- 120 caleñas fallecieron en el año 2021 y los casos notificados se han venido incrementando en un 11 %; pues mientras que en el año 2020 se detectaron 223 casos (15 %), en el año 2021 la cifra ascendió a 388 (26 %) de cáncer invasivo.
Además, Cali registró en el año 2021 una tasa de mortalidad por este cáncer de 8,76 por cada 100.000 mujeres; la cual no solo es más alta que la registrada en 2020 (que fue de 8,24) sino que supera al promedio nacional, que en 2021 se ubicó en 7,78.
Por lo anterior, la secretaria de Salud Municipal de Cali, Miyerlandi Torres Ágredo, como autoridad sanitaria de la ciudad, recordó la importancia de trabajar en la prevención y el diagnóstico temprano de una enfermedad que puede ser curada si se detecta a tiempo.
Como parte de las actividades por la conmemoración del Día Mundial de la Lucha contra el Cáncer de Cuello Uterino realizada este sábado 26 de marzo, la Alcaldía de Cali adelanta una serie de actividades para concientizar sobre esta enfermedad prevenible.
Con el apoyo de Funcáncer y las ESE Centro, Norte y Ladera, los ciudadanos del suroriente de la ciudad disfrutaron de una nueva jornada de ‘Parches Saludables’, haciendo énfasis en esa ocasión en servicios como la vacunación contra el Virus del Papiloma Humano (VPH) y la citología, dos herramientas claves en la lucha contra el cáncer de cérvix.
Más de 120 personas acudieron al Parque La Horqueta, de Siloé, en el cual pudieron encontrar también servicios como consulta médica general, consulta psicológica, atención en salud oral, examen de mama, asesoría nutricional, tamizaje cardiovascular y vacunación contra la Covid-19.
Igualmente, se dictaron charlas educativas sobre la importancia del autocuidado y la prevención del contagio del VPH, causa del 90% de los casos de cáncer de cérvix a nivel mundial.
Vacunatón contra el VPH
La autoridad sanitaria de la capital del Valle también se vinculó este sábado a la gran vacunatón contra el VPH, impulsada por la Liga Colombiana contra el Cáncer y el Ministerio de Salud, y que contó en Cali con el apoyo de las distintas ESE y EPS.
Para la jornada se habilitaron puntos especiales en tres lugares de la ciudad: el Parque La Horqueta, la sede de la fundación Unicáncer y el Hospital Cañaveralejo.
Además, las 150 IPS vacunadoras de la ‘Sucursal del Cielo’ se unieron a la actividad y desde las 8:00 a.m. recibieron a mujeres y niñas que acudieron a aplicarse la dosis de la vacuna contra el VPH o a completar sus esquemas de inmunización contra Covid, Sarampión/Rubéola o cualquiera de los biológicos incluidos en el esquema regular.
La vacuna contra el VPH es gratuita para las niñas y adolescentes entre los 9 y 17 años de edad, y consta de dos dosis, con un intervalo de aplicación de seis meses entre una y otra.
La ciudad espera recuperar las cifras de vacunación que había antes de la pandemia, pues mientras en 2019 se aplicaron 29.467 dosis, el año pasado (2021) la cifra fue de 14.839, apenas un poco más de la mitad de lo alcanzado antes de la llegada del covid-19.
“Es importante trabajar alrededor de tres temas: Primero, la vacunación de VPH, llevando a nuestras niñas, hermanitas y jóvenes, a vacunarse con este biológico. Segundo, a realizarnos la citología o la prueba de VPH para poder identificar un cáncer en estadíos muy tempranos y tener así un tratamiento oportuno. Y tercero, hacer una invitación a ponernos al día con todo lo que tiene que ver con el autocuidado femenino”, recalcó la secretaria de Salud, Miyerlandi Torres.
En la conmemoración del Día Mundial del Cáncer de Cuello Uterino que se realiza cada 26 de marzo, el Gobierno del Valle anunció que adelantará una jornada especial de vacunación para prevenir que niñas y mujeres padezcan esta enfermedad.
“Mañana tenemos vacunación de VPH en todas las IPS del departamento donde hay centros de vacunación, invitamos a los padres de familia a acompañar a sus niñas a ponerse esta vacuna. El cáncer de cuello uterino es el único cáncer evitable en el mundo, que tiene una vacuna contra este virus que es la causante mayor de este tipo de cáncer y nosotros todavía tenemos como segunda causa de muerte el cáncer de útero diagnosticado tardíamente. Si nuestras niñas se vacunaran contra el VPH, evitaríamos el cáncer de cuello uterino y facilitaríamos el camino para que los niños empezaran a ser vacunados también”, indicó María Cristina Lesmes, secretaria de Salud del Valle.
La jornada dirigida a niñas entre los 9 y 17 años se realizará de manera gratuita de 8:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m. en todas las IPS vacunadoras del departamento.
Maleja, participante del ‘Desafío’ del Canal Caracol.
La joven decidió aceptar el desafío con la condición de que su hermana resultara beneficiada.
Noticias Colombia.
El ‘Desafío The Box 2002’ continúa siendo uno de los programas favoritos de los televidentes colombianos.
En la prueba del martes, una de sus participantes, Maleja, integrante del equipo Gamma, tuvo un reto bastante difícil de superar, al igual que otros dos de sus compañeros.
‘Maleja’, concursante de
Maleja, participante de ‘El Desafío’.
Luego de salir perdedor su equipo, tuvo que despedirse de su larga cabellera. Así también, Leticiano y Skirla.
Para ella no fue nada fácil desprenderse de su cabellera e incluso estuvo a punto de retirarse: » Muchachos, me voy del Desafío, yo no me puedo cortar el cabello. Tengo una hermana que tiene cáncer y yo se lo iba a donar un día y ella me dijo que no, no lo hice por ella, no lo voy a hacer por el Desafío», expresó.
«Mi trabajo depende de mí apariencia física y eso incluye mi cabello», agregó Maleja, quien también se desempeña como modelo.
Luego, Maleja se llenó de sentimiento y finalmente accedió a cortarse su cabello para dionárselo a su hermana:
«Te amo hermanita, yo estaba en la calle, drogándome hace muchos años y hoy estoy aquí queriendo ser un ejemplo para la juventud de Colombia, para mi familia. Esto es por ti, bebé. Voy a ser muy feliz cuando te vea con mi pelo», expresaba Maleja mientras le cortaban su pelo.
Finalmente su nuevo look le gustó y también a sus seguidores.
Dermatology specialists have proposed measures to prevent alopecia from ending up in skin cancer, especially of the scalp, and have pointed out prevention, early diagnosis and advances in treatment as the main actions against this health problem
from left to right, the director of EFEsalud, Javier Tovar; and dermatologists Javier Vázquez Doval; Susana Puig Sarda; and Eduardo López Bran, moments before starting the debate “Alopecia and skin cancer”/EFE/Javier Liaño
This was stated by three prominent dermatologists in the EFEsalud Dialogues debate “Alopecia and skin cancer”, organized by the EFE Agency in collaboration with the San Carlos Clinical Hospital Health Research Institute (IdISSC).
In this informative meeting they have participated:
Dr. Susana Puig Sardá, head of the Dermatology Service at the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona; Professor of Dermatology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Barcelona; and world leader in the field of diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and skin cancer.
Doctor Javier Vázquez Doval, specialist in medical-surgical dermatology; coordinator of the Spanish Group of Cutaneous Oncology and Dermatological Surgery of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology; and a benchmark in the surgical treatment of skin cancer.
Dr. Eduardo López Bran, head of the Dermatology Service at the San Carlos Clinical Hospital in Madrid; and full professor of Dermatology at the Faculty of Medicine of the Complutense University of Madrid. He appears in the Forbes list of the 100 best doctors in Spain and has investigated relevant dermatological drugs in worldwide clinical trials.
Alopecia can end in scalp cancer
Experts have evaluated the importance of studies and research from American and Italian universities that show the relationship between alopecia and scalp cancer.
Research from American universities has followed 36,000 patients for more than twenty years.
Regarding this work, Dr. Puig Sardá highlighted: “We have fairly strong evidence between alopecia and the risk of skin cancer. The study from North American universities observes that people with alopecia at the age of 45, twenty years later, increased the risk of basal cell carcinoma 23% and squamous cell carcinoma 33%. And the specific risk in the scalp is seven times higher than in those who did not have alopecia.”
Dr. Eduardo López Bran, head of the Dermatology Service at the San Carlos Clinical Hospital in Madrid, in one of his interventions in the debate “Alopecia and skin cancer”/EFE/Javier Liaño
Dr. López Bran added: “It is a long-term study with a large number of patients. We suspected that there was a direct relationship between alopecia and a higher incidence of scalp tumors with a poor prognosis and difficult treatment. The study comes to confirm these suspicions.
Dr. Vázquez Doval has added to the value of these investigations that have been carried out with highly motivated people, in personnel from the United States health system.
Prevention and early and accurate diagnosis of alopecia
Prevention and early diagnosis have been two of the aspects on which dermatologists have insisted.
“Efforts must be focused on primary prevention so that patients who have lost hair do not develop skin cancer on the scalp,” proposed Dr. Vázquez Doval, who has defended measures such as wearing a hat.
Dr. Susana Puig Sardá, head of the Dermatology Service at the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, at a moment of the debate/EFE/Javier Liaño
Dr. Puig stressed the importance of preventive measures: “The best treatment is prevention. Society must be told that lack of hair prevents natural protection, that hair protects and its loss allows ultraviolet radiation to damage our skin; simply, when the hair is lightened, you are already at risk.
López Bran has vindicated the role of the dermatologist and has underlined: “A correct diagnosis is necessary to know the cause of hair loss and establish the appropriate treatment to try to delay this loss, so that sun damage does not accumulate from an early age”.
“The incidence of scalp cancer is important. It represents a burden for the public health system and morbidity in many cases of patients”, added this dermatologist.
Dr. Vázquez Doval has stated that “small lesions on the scalp are very easily treated, better than when they grow in extension and depth. There are multiple techniques to treat it and, if the tumor has grown, a multidisciplinary treatment must be considered. In recent years there has been an arrival of new treatments that allow us to cure or almost cure skin cancer.”
Treatment of alopecia and hair transplant
“Alopecia is a disease that has a high incidence in the male and female population. At the age of 30, 30% of young people have it and it increases by 10% with each decade. It has aesthetic and also psychological importance”, has contextualized Eduardo López Bran, video blogger at EFEsalud.
Regarding hair transplants, López Bran, an expert in this technique, has highlighted the good results of these interventions, but has specified that “we must not forget that not everyone can be transplanted and that transplants have complications, you always have to do them within a comprehensive dermatological treatment”.
Dr. Javier Vázquez Doval, coordinator of the Spanish Group of Cutaneous Oncology and Dermatological Surgery of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology, presents his proposals/EFE/Javier Liaño
In this sense, Dr. Puig has remarked: “For a transplant to be successful, a global assessment of the patient is essential. It would not simplify, it is not a procedure like getting a tattoo, it is one more procedure within a therapeutic process”.
Dr. Vázquez Doval has highlighted that the diagnoses have to be made by the dermatologist “physically seeing the patient” and has warned of the existence of websites to which you send a photo and they tell you if you are a candidate for a hair transplant. “The diagnosis is not adequate if you do not see the patient”, he assured.
Conclusions
Three dermatologists, three conclusions after almost an hour of debate.
Susana Puig Sardá: “For me, the most important thing is to recognize the early signs of alopecia. If you don’t protect your scalp, you accumulate damage and pay the consequences later. Our hair is our best photoprotector. We must preserve it, and if we have lost it, solutions have to be found.”
Javier Vázquez Doval: “Skin cancer on the scalp used to be left to evolve, now it can be prevented, treated and resolved thanks to advances in medical and surgical treatments.”
Eduardo López Bran: “I want to highlight the great work of American and Italian colleagues in studies with an astonishing number of patients and almost a lifetime of research. We have diagnostic tools and training to establish the precise treatment needed by patients who are going to lose hair “.
The report “The social challenge of ovarian cancer” has among its objectives to advance awareness and visibility of ovarian cancer, both at a social and health level, to improve the survival and quality of life of those affected
Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and the leading cause of death from gynecological cancer in Spain, where some 3,300 cases are diagnosed annually, of which 58.9 percent die.
The Association of People Affected by Ovarian Cancer (ASACO) and the Fundación Más Que Ideas (MQI) promote the visibility of this tumor and favor reflection at a social and health level, under the initiative “The social challenge of ovarian cancer”.
This document has been prepared by twenty health professionals, patients, relatives of those affected and representatives of associations against ovarian cancer.
Its objective is to focus on making earlier diagnoses and obtaining better results in terms of survival and quality of life for women suffering from this disease.
In addition, they want to promote dialogue around self-care and recognition of gynecological health.
Multidisciplinary approach and sex education
The report sets out four essential priorities:
Educate society and health groups on the recognition of symptoms
Facilitate access to specialized surgery and a multidisciplinary approach
Educate in gynecological, sexual and reproductive health
Training health professionals in communication
To do this, they propose a series of actions based on awareness and sensitization as fundamental axes of their campaigns.
Both associations detail that 80% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are in advanced stages of the disease.
Although the patients recognize the agility of the process once diagnosed, they believe that the recognition of symptoms should improve.
Six out of 10 affected women state that they have no previous knowledge of the disease, which, added to the non-specificity of the symptoms, makes it difficult to recognize cancer early.
Recognition of symptoms is vital for early diagnosis. Image courtesy of ASACO.
The specialization of the medical team is essential to achieve success in surgery. The document states that the doctor must dedicate at least 50% of his clinical practice to this type of operation.
Ovarian cancer not only has consequences on physical health, but also emotional and social ones. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach to patients and the integration of gynecological oncology is considered key.
In these terms, self-knowledge and knowledge about gynecological health are key factors, according to experts.
Addressing the reproductive and sexual repercussions and achieving the involvement of health personnel can help improve the quality of life of women affected by this cancer.
Finally, the associations express the need to train health personnel in communication to transmit information to patients and families more empathetically and effectively.
Raise awareness and sensitize to save lives
The report It also highlights the importance of raising awareness through raising awareness and attracting the attention of society.
Women in general and also men should know about it in order to be able to transfer this problem to all people and support the women affected.
Experts recommend that information be personalized by age groups based on involvement, empathy, clarity of messages and work with influential people, especially on social networks.
What happens to sexuality with ovarian cancer?
One of the main demands is the treatment of the sexuality of those affected with ovarian cancer. In the report they clarify that attention must be paid to favor a better self-knowledge of the body and know how to deal with sexual problems.
The sexologist, sociologist and health and gender consultant, Irene Coldexplains to EFEsalud that “sexuality must be addressed first from oncology.”
“The professional should ask what life is like for the woman who has just been diagnosed. Ovarian cancer has an unexpected course and is very irruptive in the person’s life cycle. It appears out of nowhere and this at the level of emotional management is very important”, says the specialist.
The sexologist affirms that “health professionals must take the initiative to take sexual function into account and address it directly in consultation”.
Likewise, these doctors must contact sexual health professionals to seek advice and be able to advise the patient.
Psychological treatment has to go hand in hand with treatment of sexuality, according to Aterido: “The pelvic area, where ovarian cancer develops, is a fundamental area for the female and male sexual experience. The communication of bad news is getting better, but sexuality is not yet addressed”.
anticipate to treat
It is recommended that the affected woman be able to ask about the consequences of cancer and treatment, as well as the impact it will have on her sexual life.
“We have to anticipate the questions -he adds- The recently diagnosed does not have to be afraid to ask everything and precisely all the things that scare him. It is important to ask about the consequences at all levels of the organism”.
The sexologist recalls that “sometimes oncology saves your life, but it is important during and see what happens after.”
Issues related to pleasure is another topic that is usually dealt with in sexology in cancer patients.
Irene Aterido recalls that “no cancer treatment will affect the pleasure signals of the central nervous system, so the ability to feel pleasure, love and affection is not lost.”
Communicate the bad news also to the couple
Another important aspect is cancer treatment together with the patient’s sentimental and/or sexual partner.
This expert points out that “there are no general recommendations, but the partner should be included in the communication, if the affected person so wishes.”
“The right to give information about her health belongs to the woman herself and we must attend to the rhythms of diagnosis of grief, as well as consider the stage in which the couple is at the time of diagnosis,” he concludes.
The Center for Biomedical Research Network (CIBER) together with the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) have agreed to establish a centralized information system on cancer in Spain. Its objective is to obtain a complete vision of this disease throughout the State
The CIBER in collaboration with the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) will launch this registry, called the Cancer Epidemiological Information System (SIEC), which will systematize and unify the main epidemiological indicators of cancer in Spain.
In this way, rigorous and official data on this disease can be offered to make decisions at the level of the autonomous community, or even province.
The portal is planned to be available by the end of 2022.
Since the arrival of the coronavirus in March 2020, the world has been involved in momentous political, social and economic changes. However, other diseases, including cancer, continue to rise.
Updated and complete information
In the note in which the CIBER and the AECC recently announced this agreement, it was stated that “the SIEC will facilitate epidemiological monitoring, unify sources that are difficult to access, and build official indicators that have not been available until now.”
This cancer registry will work from data from Spanish population registries that are accredited by the International Agency on Cancer.
The user will be able to find statistics on epidemiological risk indicators of a geographical, temporal and demographic nature on the incidence, mortality, survival and prevalence of cancer.
This will be completed with informative information on risk and protective factors for the different types of tumors. In addition, a glossary on epidemiological surveillance will be included to understand the most important terms about cancer.
From these data, researchers will be able to establish the survival rate of cancer types over time or possible geographical variations, among other things.
Marina Pollán, director of the National Center for Epidemiology of the Carlos III Health Institute and CIBERESP, points out that “in Spain there is no single national cancer registry, although there are various initiatives in this regard that provide information -such as the Spanish Network of Cancer Registries (REDACAN) or the ARIADNA epidemiological information system of the National Epidemiology Center of the ISCIII”.
This expert adds that “it is necessary to have a quality information system at a national level with updated, integrated and as disaggregated as possible information on the burden of cancer in Spain”.
plan to prevent
María José Sánchez, coordinator of the Cancer Surveillance Subprogram at CIBERESP, explains to EFEsalud that “knowing these statistics is key to being able to make decisions, act quickly and avoid territorial inequalities in health protection.”
“This portal will allow us to know the temporal trends of prevalence and survival. We are going to see if this survival for the types of cancer improves over time or if there are geographical variations between the different Autonomous Communities. If we observe important differences, another series of studies would have to be considered to see the reason for these variations in the indicators”, he affirms.
Diego de Haro, responsible for the program at the Spanish Association Against Canceradds that it is a “very innovative project that will also help to develop a plan for the different benefits and services that public administrations have to provide”.
In Spain, as in other European countries, there are 14 consolidated registries on the incidence of cancer. These are known as population-based tumor registries, as is the case with the ARIADNA project.
However, from the CIBER they detail that “all these registries are provincial and until now only between 20 and 30% of the Spanish population are being registered in a real and direct way”.
For this reason, the new portal will make it possible to collect updated data that can be extrapolated to the entire Spanish population and make precise estimates for each territory.
A cancer registry open to all
The new page will be available to the scientific community and the general population. Its purpose is that any patient, relative or interested person can access without special permissions and learn the reality about cancer.
Diego de Haro recalls that this is a “fundamental aspect, a platform accessible to everyone and with the main indicators”.
Although the individualized databases cannot be downloaded nor can a researcher upload their information, it can be used to schedule new analyses. This will allow you to see the indicators according to age ranges or sex.
Image of the Salud Sin Hoaxes website
The cancer pandemic
Especially in the first wave of the coronavirus screening programs of cancer stopped their activity due to the health crisis.
Also, many research projects and laboratories had to close, thus experiencing delays in many cases.
Added to this was the fear of the general population to go to the doctor due to the virus, which made it difficult to make cancer diagnoses.
María José Sánchez points out that “we must be clear that there is a cancer pandemic because more cases are being diagnosed, so it continues to be a public health problem and we must not get lost.”
However, he specifies that “the health system is making an effort to cover all cancer patients so that their diagnosis and treatment have no consequences.”
Researchers at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) have shown that Omomyc, a therapeutic protein that works to attack primary tumors, is also effective for metastasis in breast cancer
Image of breast metastases. EFE
“So far we have shown that Omomyc is effective in controlling many primary tumors; now, in addition, we have seen that it is also an effective drug by blocking the invasion, establishment and growth of metastases in breast cancer”, adds the Dr. Laura Soucek, Co-Director of Translational and Preclinical Research and Head of the VHIO Antitumor Therapies Modeling Group.
It has long been known with certainty that the MYC gene family plays an important role in the development of many types of tumors, and Omomyc, as a tumor-inhibiting protein, is effective in treating primary tumors.
However, there is some controversy about the role of MYC in metastasis, and some studies even suggest that inhibiting it would be counterproductive and could enhance cancer regrowth.
But the investigation of VHIOwhose data has just been published in Cancer Research Communications (a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research), have demonstrated the efficacy of inhibiting MYC with Omomyc, through different experiments both in vitro and in vivo.
“The response has been very positive and in all cases it has been found that Omomyc has significant antimetastatic activity, contrary to what had been speculated,” explains the Dr. Daniel Massó, researcher at the spin-off Peptomyc and first author of the article.
Omomyc, a protein created in Vall d’Hebron
Omomyc was created by Vall d’Hebron as a miniprotein capable of inhibiting MYC and, after multiple preclinical studies whose results have gone around the world, it is already being tested in patients, in a clinical trial that began in May last year.
Prior to the trial, Omomyc had already demonstrated potent antitumor activity in multiple tumor cell lines and mouse cancer models, regardless of tissue of origin and mutations.
However, all of the research to date with this drug has focused on primary tumors and its efficacy against metastatic disease has never been proven.
With this latest study, it has been possible to demonstrate it through a multitude of experiments, both in in vitro models and in mouse models. In the former, efficacy was tested in all types of tumors, while in the latter the work focused on triple negative breast cancer, a disease that urgently needs better therapeutic options.
Although the research carried out has not yet been carried out with people, the VHIO did analyze patient databases, in which it was possible to verify that those patients with breast cancer who presented overexpression of the genes that Omomyc blocks had a longer survival short.
“This makes us optimistic and think that, if these patients were treated with our drug, perhaps we could improve their survival,” Dr. Massó points out.
For example, there is insufficient evidence to support that green tea reduces the risk of breast cancer and there is limited evidence that the consumption of foods containing carotenoids as well as foods rich in calcium reduce the risk of breast cancer.
As for soy, as a source of isoflavones, it has components with weak estrogenic activity, “which leads to controversy about its effects, given the relationship between estrogens and breast cancer.”
All these observations are included in the Manual of Breast Pathology for Primary Care, powered by Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC), the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians (SEMG) and the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (Semerge).
In the work, which seeks, among other things, to improve training in breast pathology at both levels of care and to coordinate patient care more effectively, 23 specialists in Surgery, 23 specialists in Primary Care, 4 specialists in Gynaecology, two Nursing professionals and a specialist in Radiology.
EFEsalud collects here part of the chapter dedicated to the modifiable factors of breast cancer, prepared by the specialists Ana Patricia ArlandisIsabel Sierra Fernandez and Elizabeth Sanchez Clarosthe three from the Breast Pathology Unit of Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital (Lleida).
Breast cancer: modifiable risk factors
According to the authors, factors such as overweight and obesity, alcohol, physical inactivity and inadequate diet will increase or decrease the risk of cancer depending on the woman’s hormonal moment.
These are some of the key ideas in relation to obesity and diet:
Obesity/muscle mass index Industrial foods have induced a change in diet in developed countries, which has caused an increase in the rate of overweight.
Muscle mass index (BMI) is an independent risk factor for breast cancer, especially in Caucasian patients. For every 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI, the risk of breast cancer increases by 12%.
In the postmenopausalthe sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is decreased, so free estrogens are increased by 50-100% due to increased activity of aromatase, responsible for transforming fatty tissue into estrogens.
This leads to an increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women who did not receive hormone therapy, which is 1.5 times greater than in women of normal weight.
Those who have experienced a weight gain of 25 kg or more since the age of 18 have an increased risk of breast cancer compared to those who have maintained the weight.
Likewise, those who have not used hormonal treatment, who lose 10 kg or more of weight since menopause, and who maintain this loss, have a significantly reduced risk of breast cancer.
Diet
The diet of industrialized society is characterized by the excessive consumption of hyper-transformed foods, which, together with a sedentary lifestyle, causes overweight that induces many chronic and neoplastic diseases.
There are not many studies that compare the incidence of breast cancer with different types of diet and most are observational, so they are subject to biases that make it difficult to interpret the observation.
In any case, it is known that weight gain and obesity, which are usually directly related to diet, increase the risk of breast cancer.
On the other hand, the composition of the diet could have a greater influence during adolescence and early adulthood.
Thus they highlight that:
– There is a relationship between consumption of animal fats and breast cancer: more than five intakes of red meat per week in youth is associated with a relative increase in breast cancer of 1.22 in premenopause and postmenopause, compared with the intake of poultry, fish, legumes and nuts .
– It has not been shown that a strict Mediterranean diet influences the risk of breast cancer, although some studies affirm that such a diet characterized by the use of oils of vegetable origin (such as extra virgin olive oil EVOO), intake of fruits, vegetables, monounsaturated fats, omega 3 fats, sugars from fiber and cereals, in which the proteins come from fish and legumes, causes a 15% decrease in the incidence of breast cancer.
This benefit could be included in women with less physical activity.
– There are very limited data to suggest that the consumption of non-starchy vegetables (tomato, lettuce, onion, spinach, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, mushrooms, etc.) decrease breast cancer RH-.
Some studies suggest that women with low levels of vitamin D have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
They also note:
– There is insufficient evidence to support that the Green Tea reduce the risk of breast cancer.
– There is limited evidence that the consumption of foods containing carotenoids as well as foods rich in calcium decrease the risk of breast cancer.
– The soyas a source of isoflavones, has components with weak estrogenic activity, which leads to controversy about its effects, given the relationship between estrogens and breast cancer.
However, it has been proven that it can have an anticancer and antioxidant effect, that it induces apoptosis and decreases angiogenesis.
Studies are underway to elucidate this aspect.
Infographic of the Manual of Breast Pathology for Primary Care
Healthy life style
The three specialists recommend a healthy life style Passing by:
– Maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI) and prevent weight gain after menopause.
– In women who are overweight or obese, it is recommended to lose weight.
– Limit sedentary behaviors.
– Carry out moderate-intense physical exercise spread over 3-5 days a week (150 minutes a week of moderate exercise, 75 minutes a week intense, or both).
– Limit the alcohol consumption and avoid it especially in young women before the first pregnancy.
– In smokers, it is recommended reduce or eliminate smokingof particular importance in young people before the first pregnancy, as in the case of alcohol.
– It is recommended the Breastfeeding as far as possible.
– Limit the use of hormone replacement therapy.
– Avoid processed meats, limit the consumption of red meat and foods with high salt content. Promote protein intake from poultry, oily fish, legumes and nuts.
– Limit food high calorie and avoid sugary drinks.
– A Mediterranean diet is recommended, rich in fruits, non-starchy vegetables, cereals, legumes and extra virgin olive oil.
Manual of Breast Pathology for Primary Care
In the Western world, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Its incidence grows every year and its age of onset is advanced. In addition, benign breast disease is very common in our population.
Currently, and as indicated in the introduction to the manual, this type of cancer has a great social relevance thanks to public awareness campaigns on the importance of early diagnosis and screening programs, which entails a greater commitment on the part of patients in the active search for signs and symptoms of the disease and, consequently, the demand for early health care before its appearance.
The manual, so, propose a change of roles in these two care levels, in which both the new information technologies as the healthcare informationplay an important rolein order to improve the accessibility of patients to the health system, reduce waiting times in all phases of the process, provide comprehensive management of breast pathology taking into account the psychological and socio-family aspects, and facilitate complete rehabilitation and the return to normal life of patients after treatment.
On the occasion of its publication, the coordinator of the Breast Section of the AEC, Sonia Rivas-Fidalgo has considered that the Primary Care doctor «plays a fundamental role not only in the early diagnosis of breast pathology, but also in the follow-up once the oncological treatments have finished, in the identification of social or psychological needs, in the identification of high-risk women and in promoting healthy lifestyles.
Also the doctor Fatima Santolaya Sardineroof the Oncology Working Group of the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians, SEMG has reported that one of the fundamental actions of Primary Care is to carry out a set of preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, follow-up and care activities, aimed at Comprehensive management of people who present clinical signs/symptoms or diagnostic imaging test findings suspicious for malignancy, or in whom an increased risk for breast cancer is detected.
Finally, the coordinator of the Semergen Women’s Care working group, the Dr. Ana Rosa Jurado has pointed out that once again, and at a time of unprecedented care overload, the Primary Care professionals who have participated in the preparation of this Manual «have shown that the priority is the quality of care for users of the National Health System, on this occasion from the training, the advice and the work of consensus that have made the elaboration of this work possible».
“Language is my working instrument. My creative process is developed by thinking about the flavors and then assembling them in the kitchen. For this reason, my fear is losing my sense of taste and with it my gastronomic vocation”. These are the words of Diego Galvis, a renowned chef from Santander who is currently facing a medical condition that puts what he has achieved in his profession in check. He has cancer of the tongue.
(You may also be interested in: The ‘Hero of bread’ in the United States is a Colombian)
Galvis, only 31 years old, has become a gastronomic reference in the region. He hails from Relief, Santander, one of the heritage towns of Colombia, and bets on combining the typical food of the department with its history and a touch gourmet, offering innovative products that resonate with residents and tourists.
Berraca is the name of the restaurant and the brand of one of its culinary proposals: the Creole fast food. To get to the varied menu that it offers, with dishes named after Guano caciques, geographical places and characters of independence -Chanchón shelled, Saravita hamburger, among others-, the chef integrated the ancestral recipes in attractive presentations.
(Also read: The golden year of Colombian gastronomy)
In this way, Galvis managed to put his stamp on products such as the kid hamburger, the hot dog with Genoa sausage or the choripán with rullas bread, a derivative of corn, typical of Santander. The added value, in addition to the evolution of tradition, is that each ingredient is made from scratch, guaranteeing the diner a quality gastronomic experience that is very different from the local offer.
“My job has been to reinvent typical Santanderean food and give it another level, meeting current demand, but maintaining the recipe. History of Creole fast food, especially dishes from the region, did not exist; so I decided to develop this proposal and claim culture. The idea of the names of the dishes is also born from there, because my purpose is to put in the mouth of the clients, through the taste and the experience in the place, everything that surrounds the tradition of our municipality and makes us be what we are”, describes the socorrano entrepreneur.
Berraca, a Creole fast food restaurant in Socorro, Santander, won the La Barra 2020 award for best fast food restaurant.
Precisely, this bet stood out in a national recognition of gastronomy. Berraca obtained the award for best fast food restaurant in the Santander region of the La Barra 2020 award, the cooking Oscars in Colombia, for which Galvis was also nominated in two other categories: best new chef and best new restaurant.
Pandemic and cancer: the challenges of the chef from Santander
The same year he received the decoration, Diego’s job as a chef faced the first challenge: the pandemic. One of the sectors hardest hit by the restriction measures was customer service, and in mid-March the doors of Berraca were closed indefinitely. However, taking advantage of the welcome he received, reinvented the business to sell at home and to prepare at home, with the dishes vacuum packed.
Once the initial impact of the virus had mitigated and after the gradual opening of the restaurants, Galvis together with Tatiana Silva, his wife, began to devise a second venture. They wanted to continue with the concept of typical food in the style gourmet, also venturing into cocktails. thus was born ancestora gastrobar that became the obligatory stop for tourists and locals to taste drinks such as the guarapo or culona ant cocktail.
History of Creole fast food, especially dishes from the region, did not exist; so I decided to develop this proposal and vindicate culture.
But when the consequences of covid were believed to be over and the business was projected, a discomfort that the chef felt in his mouth became an obstacle to continue directing the operation of the restaurants. What started as a simple pain on the side of the tongue, ended up being a carcinoma that now threatens his life.
“This battle began eight months ago. I felt a pain in my tongue, which I never paid much attention to, but as I noticed that it persisted, I decided to go to the doctor. There they treated him for a simple canker sore; however, when I began to have difficulty swallowing food, they did some tests, including a biopsy, where they discovered infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma, which is the name of the tumor I have. The doctor explained to me that, in fact, it was a Tongue cancer”, relates, with some sadness, the chef and entrepreneur.
A thousand things went through the heads of Galvis and his wife. They questioned whether they were negligent for letting a long time go by without seeking medical attention, but, above all, why on the tongue? In this organ are the taste buds and a disease that affected them was an unfair and somewhat cynical situation for a man who lives by tasting food and creating new flavors.
(Related: Colombian gastronomy: the rarest dishes eaten in the country)
The specialist assured the family that it was a rare condition in young people. The important thing was treat as soon as possible. For this reason, the time that followed the diagnosis was an obstacle course for Galvis, in which the procedures to make appointments at the EPS were extremely cumbersome and each day that passed was a time trial to stop the growth of the tumor.
“Seeing a specialist was almost impossible. Communication with the New EPS was torture. They sent me from one department to another and nobody gave me an answer of the next step. For this reason, many times, I had to ask for private appointments and take out of my pocket to pay for the exams and speed up the process”, says the chef.
Diego Galvis pioneered recipes that transform typical dishes into fast food and cocktails, with great fame in the region.
With these expenses, one more concern was added to Diego’s medical problem.Restaurant and home financeswere negatively impacted and had to go to donations to pay for medical procedures and keep the Berraca and Ancestor operation afloat.
“Managing the restaurants, I was desperate because I knew that there was not enough to cover Diego’s medical needs. We are even thinking of selling the premises. But Diego’s talent and his legacy they cannot be lost by this mishap. We must find a way to move forward,” says Tatiana Silva, Galvis’s wife.
The latest results, delivered a few days ago, were not encouraging at all. The tumor has grown rapidly and to treat the cancer there are two treatment options: surgery in which they must removal of your entire tongue and part of your jaw, or radiation therapy. The latter was Diego’s choice, hoping to find a worthy cure that would allow him to maintain his quality of life, despite his altered taste.
However, the part of tranquility in this whole process, which seems to be full of bad news, is the training of the cooks who work in the restaurants, to whom the chef explained each recipe. They will be his language while he manages to overcome the disease, an objective to which he dedicated himself fully from the moment of diagnosis.
“El Socorro is not a very big city. There are no training schools. I, precisely, studied abroad (at Colombia College) and came back. Therefore, my job is to educate the people who pass through my kitchen. I teach them the different processes of storage, production, care and good food handling practices. And of course the recipes. I explain how each dish is made, I make them learn the flavor and follow the step by step so that these are always the same”, describes Galvis.
(Further reading: About chefs and midwives: stories that enrich our flavors)
Currently, Diego is waiting for the green light to start radiotherapy. He feels lucky and hopes to continue receiving the support that his employees and countrymen have given him, who have turned to maintain the gastronomic proposal that has filled the socorranos with pride and rescues the roots of a people that, historically, has lived from them.
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.
Presentation of the AECC report and campaign for equality against cancer.
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.
Labor vulnerability indicators. Photo of the AECC report
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.
Psychological Care in the National Health System. Photo of the AECC report
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.
The 5 types of tumors in which a greater number of cases occur. Photo of the AECC report
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.
