Towards a Future Where Cancer Stops Claiming Lives
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Eliminating cancer as a cause of death represents one of humanity’s greatest scientific challenges. In Spain alone, projections indicate over 300,000 new cancer diagnoses in 2026, with the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) warning this could exceed 350,000 annual cases by 20501. These statistics underscore the urgency behind initiatives like AstraZeneca’s Cancer Zero Project, which unites healthcare professionals, scientific societies, and patient advocates to accelerate progress against this complex group of diseases.
Prevention and Early Detection: Critical Fronts in Cancer Control
Dr. Javier de Castro, president of the SEOM and collaborator of the Cancer Zero Project.
According to Dr. Javier de Castro, SEOM president and Cancer Zero Project collaborator, transformative progress requires more than breakthrough treatments: “We must ensure more people survive cancer or live with it as a chronic condition”. He emphasizes that 30-50% of cancers could be prevented through addressing modifiable risks like tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and obesity2.
Early detection remains equally vital. Research indicates that prevention strategies and screening programs prevented 80% of potential cancer deaths between 1975-20203. Proven screening for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers needs optimization and equitable implementation across Spain’s healthcare regions4.
Precision Diagnostics: The Digital Pathology Revolution
Dr. Dolores Lozano, president of the Spanish Society of Pathological Anatomy (SEAP)
Advanced diagnostics are reshaping cancer care. Liquid biopsies and biomarker identification enable earlier detection and personalized treatment selection5. Dr. Dolores Lozano, president of SEAP, highlights how digital pathology accelerates diagnoses while improving accuracy: “Transitioning from microscope slides to digital images represents a paradigm shift. AI tools enhance reproducibility and enable second opinions, reducing regional disparities”6.
Addressing Metastatic Cancer: The Equity Imperative
Pilar Fernández Pascual, president of the Alliance against Metastasis: Innovation and Support (ALMIA)
Despite therapeutic advances, metastatic cancer patients face systemic challenges. Pilar Fernández Pascual of patient advocacy group ALMIA states: “Metastatic patients feel invisible within healthcare systems”. Access barriers compound these issues – Spain’s 613-day average wait for newly approved cancer drugs contrasts sharply with Germany’s 110-day timeframe8. Fernández emphasizes: “For metastatic patients, time isn’t abstract – it’s survival”.
A Comprehensive Vision for Cancer Elimination
Laura Colón, president of AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca Spain President Laura Colón stresses the need for integrated solutions: “Scientific breakthroughs only matter if they reach patients. We must bridge the gap from laboratory discovery to bedside application”. The Cancer Zero Project advocates addressing clinical, organizational, and legislative barriers through collaboration between industry, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
References
1. SEOM. Cancer figures in Spain 2026. Available at: https://seom.org/images/Las_Cifras_del_Cancer_en_Espanya_2026.pdf. Last access: January 2026
2. World Health Organization (WHO). Cancer prevention. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer. Last access: January 2026.
3. Goddard KAB, et al. Estimation of Cancer Deaths Averted From Prevention, Screening, and Treatment Efforts, 1975-2020 JAMA Oncol. 2024. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.5381 Last access: January 2026.
4. National Cancer Institute: Screening tests. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/screening/screening-tests Last access: January 2026.
5. Kanwal R, et al. Emerging biomarkers for early cancer detection and diagnosis: A comprehensive review. European Journal of Medical Research 2025; 30, 86. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-03003-6
Images Credit: www.diariodeibiza.es