Gastric cancer is the fifth most common in the world and the twelfth in Spain. Early diagnosis “is its black point”, since in many cases, when it is detected, it is too late.
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(From left to right) Oncologist Ana Fernández; the director of the Oncology Unit of the BMS, Fernando Granell; and the president of the Association against Gastric Cancer and Gastrectomized Patients (ACCGG), Pilar Ruiz. EFE/Marshal
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(From left to right) Oncologist Ana Fernández; the director of the Oncology Unit of the BMS, Fernando Granell; and the president of the Association against Gastric Cancer and Gastrectomized Patients (ACCGG), Pilar Ruiz. EFE/Marshal
The delay in diagnosis was highlighted by experts and patients present at the conference “Challenges in gastric cancer”, organized by the EFE Agency in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) dealing with this type of tumor, less visible than others, has serious consequences and tomorrow, November 28, the international day will be commemorated.
“Gastric cancer is a health problem because there are unmet needs and there is very little awareness,” he said. the oncologist of the University Hospital Complex of Orense Ana Fernándezwho attended the event with the president of the Association against gastric cancer and gastrectomized patients (ACCGG), Pilar RuizYes the director of the Oncology Unit of the pharmaceutical company, Fernando Granelli.
In Spain, the incidence is not as high as in Asia, where in countries such as Korea or Japan it affects 50 people out of 100,000, but it is intermediate (about 7,000 new cases are diagnosed per year) and is more common in the elderly. men.
However, warns Dr. Fernández, since the late 1990s it has been detected in all countries an increase in cases in people under 50“even since the 1940s”, which, in the
Risk factors
Some of the main risk factors for gastric cancer are gastroesophageal reflux disease, a diet high in smoked foods and low in fruits and vegetables, and little exercise.
“And an environmental factor, which is Helicobacter pylori, which affects half the population and will cause cancer in 2%,” adds the doctor.
To help prevent this cancer it is advisable to follow a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, avoid salty foods, not smoke or drink alcohol and do physical activity for about 45 minutes five days a week.
Patients are asking for a uniform protocol
In fact a the president of the ACCGG She was diagnosed with the tumor when she was 36 and had already had symptoms for years, but because they are similar to other pathologies and she was young, doctors initially did not perform tests to detect it.
For this reason he asked for a uniform protocol for patients who have been experiencing certain symptoms for six months and, regardless of age, are referred from primary care to a specialist, to undergo a gastroscopy and advance in the early diagnosis of cancer. gastric.
“Healthcare works well when it is diagnosed, but the black point is early diagnosis,” insisted Pilar Ruiz, who underlined that the impact of this type of cancer, which in most cases involves total or partial removal of the stomach, it is “devastating.”
A message of hope
Dr. Fernández agreed with her that one of the challenges and “the biggest weakness” in the approach to gastric cancer is early diagnosis, but she also wanted to send “a message of hope” because a lot of progress has been made in recent years personalized treatments and medicines, which have increased survival.
The director of the Oncology Unit of the BMS expressed himself in the same sense, underlining that it is a type of cancer with a poor prognosis and that, already in 2022, the European Plan to fight cancer has highlighted that this must be addressed tumor urgently. because it is one of the most lethal.
“Immunotherapy offers a very important opportunity to patients,” said Fernando Granell, underlining that, without the excellence of Spanish researchers, research and development would not be possible.
The president of the patient association regretted that in many cases innovation takes a long time to reach those affected. In fact, the oncologist stated at this point that Spain has a two-year delay from the approval of the drug until its financing by the system.
“It is a complex path and an effort is being made by professionals and companies to try to shorten these times,” said Ana Fernández, member of the Digestive Tumor Treatment Group (TTD).
For his part, Fernando Granell underlined that the BMS collaborates with administrations to accelerate the arrival of innovation to patients and implement effective initiatives “from all points of view”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_04ScqRNZTk[/embed>
What are the key symptoms of gastric cancer that patients should be aware of?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Dr. Ana Fernández, Oncologist at the University Hospital Complex of Orense
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Fernández. It’s a pleasure to have you here to discuss the pressing issue of gastric cancer detection. Your insights from the recent “Challenges in Gastric Cancer” conference are immensely valuable. To start, can you tell us why early diagnosis is often considered the “black point” of gastric cancer treatment?
Dr. Fernández: Thank you for having me! Early diagnosis is crucial because, unfortunately, many patients are diagnosed at a late stage when treatment options are limited and the prognosis significantly worsens. At the conference, we heard from both experts and patients about the serious consequences of late detection, which is too common due to a lack of awareness and understanding of gastric cancer symptoms.
Editor: That’s alarming, especially given that gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer globally. What factors contribute to this late diagnosis?
Dr. Fernández: There are several reasons. One major issue is that the symptoms of gastric cancer often mimic those of less serious gastrointestinal conditions. This can lead doctors and patients alike to dismiss potential red flags. Moreover, gastric cancer is less visible and less well-known compared to other cancers, which leads to a lack of screening and preventive measures.
Editor: You mentioned in your conference speech that the demographic most affected is changing. Could you elaborate on that?
Dr. Fernández: Yes, traditionally, gastric cancer was more prevalent in older adults. However, we are now seeing an increase in cases among individuals under 50 since the late 1990s. This trend is concerning and suggests we may need to rethink our screening protocols to include younger populations, especially those with risk factors.
Editor: Speaking of risk factors, can you outline some of the known contributors to developing gastric cancer?
Dr. Fernández: Certainly. Key risk factors include gastroesophageal reflux disease, a diet high in smoked or preserved foods and low in fruits and vegetables, sedentary lifestyle, and the presence of Helicobacter pylori—an infection that affects half the population globally. While not everyone with these risk factors will develop gastric cancer, they significantly increase the risk.
Editor: What measures can individuals take to reduce their risk of developing gastric cancer?
Dr. Fernández: A healthy lifestyle is a great preventive measure. I recommend a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, limiting the intake of salty and preserved foods, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol use, and engaging in regular physical activity—ideally around 45 minutes, five days a week.
Editor: At the conference, Pilar Ruiz emphasized a need for a uniform protocol for early intervention. What are her main points regarding this?
Dr. Fernández: Pilar’s experience is critical—the symptoms she experienced for years were dismissed because she was young and healthy. She advocates for a standardized protocol that mandates referrals for further testing, like gastroscopy, for anyone experiencing concerning symptoms for six months, regardless of age. This could greatly enhance early detection rates.
Editor: It sounds like increased awareness is key. How do we raise awareness around gastric cancer?
Dr. Fernández: Education is vital. We need to inform both the public and healthcare professionals about the symptoms of gastric cancer and the importance of early diagnosis. That includes organizing events like the “Challenges in Gastric Cancer” conference to bring more visibility to these issues.
Editor: Dr. Fernández, what message of hope can you share with our readers about gastric cancer?
Dr. Fernández: While gastric cancer presents significant challenges, improving early diagnosis is within our reach. By staying informed and advocating for better healthcare protocols, we can save lives. There’s always hope, particularly in early detection and ongoing advancements in treatment options.
Editor: Thank you very much, Dr. Fernández, for shedding light on such an important topic. Your insights will surely help our readers understand the urgency surrounding gastric cancer detection.
Dr. Fernández: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these crucial issues. Together, we can work on raising awareness and improving early diagnosis for gastric cancer.