Colon cancer is the most common malignant tumor in Spain

Colon cancer is the most common malignant tumor in Spain

The colon cancer   is, if we add both sexes, the first malignant tumor incidence and second in mortality in Spain, with around 14,000 people killed each year for their cause, four times more than deaths caused by accidents traffic, and way above the 1,300 cases of deaths from AIDS . Data from 2007 indicate that this type of weekly diagnosed cancer over 500 people, and experts estimate that if measures are not taken, the disease incidence will increase by 2.4% per year, ie 600 new cases more each year over the previous year. Despite its high incidence and mortality of colon cancer can be cured in 90% of cases if detected in early stages , so it is necessary to raise awareness of the need to be tested for early detection . As Dr. Juan Diego Morillas, coordinator of the Alliance for the Prevention of Colon Cancer, "is well known that early detection programs through testing fecal occult blood reduce by one-third of cancer mortality colon, which could be saved over 3,600 lives a year. "

It is necessary, therefore, that this type of testing is included within the public health programs of early detection, and are directed to the population over 50 years , but lacks other background risk, as relatives with colorectal neoplasms.

Day Colon Cancer Prevention

The Alliance for Colon Cancer Prevention, which aims to promote and disseminate the importance of this disease and to promote measures for their prevention and early detection , has conducted throughout the month of March an awareness campaign at National culminating with the celebration of Day of the Colon Cancer Prevention in Spain on the 31st of this month.

According emphasizes Dr. Juan Diego Morillas, coordinator of the Alliance for the Prevention of Colon Cancer, "although there have been important steps in the prevention of this tumor, more effort and drive to implement screening programs or screening required ". To achieve a reduction in the incidence of colon cancer through prevention, Interregional Council of the National Health System established in 2009 in order to achieve a national coverage of 50% in the implementation of programs for the early detection of colorectal cancer year 2015. 

In line with this objective, several autonomous communities (Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia, Canarias, La Rioja, Basque Country, Cantabria and Castilla-León) have implemented screening programs that are performing well, with an average high participation population. On March 1, moreover, the Director General Hospital of Madrid, D. Anthony Burgess, publicly expressed the intention of the Community of Madrid starting the program for early detection of colorectal cancer in the first half of 2011. 

Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go, as only 11% of the general population 50 years is included in screening programs.