Spain will diagnose around 300,000 new cases of cancer this year, according to estimates from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and the Spanish Network of Cancer Registries (REDECAN). Nearly a quarter of them will begin in the digestive system.
The most common cancer
Colorectal cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Spain when men and women are counted together, with more than 40,000 new cases a year — ahead of breast, lung and prostate cancer. Other important digestive cancers include those of the pancreas, stomach and liver.
Why digestive cancers are so deadly
Survival from cancer has improved enormously over the past decades, but some digestive cancers, such as pancreatic and oesophageal cancer, are still often diagnosed late. Colorectal and pancreatic cancer are among the leading causes of cancer death in Spain, after lung cancer. The reasons include:
- early symptoms that are vague or absent;
- a lack of screening tests for some tumours;
- the aggressive biology of cancers such as pancreatic cancer.
Screening saves lives
Colorectal cancer is the clear exception: it can be detected early, and even prevented, through screening. When it is found at an early stage, the chances of survival are very high.
Spain’s screening programme offers people aged 50 to 69 a stool test that detects hidden blood every two years. If the result is positive, a colonoscopy follows, which can also remove polyps before they turn into cancer. Everyone in that age group who receives an invitation is encouraged to take part. In the Balearics, the programme is run by the regional health service, IB-Salut.
Warning signs
See a doctor if you notice:
- blood in your stools;
- a persistent change in bowel habits;
- unexplained weight loss;
- persistent abdominal pain or difficulty swallowing;
- unexplained tiredness or anaemia.
Prevention
A large proportion of cancers are linked to lifestyle factors that can be changed:
- Don’t smoke and limit alcohol.
- Eat more fibre, fruit and vegetables, and less red and processed meat.
- Stay active: at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis B, which helps prevent liver cancer.
Early diagnosis remains the most powerful tool against digestive cancers — and for colorectal cancer, a simple test at home can make the difference.
