Since chemotherapy began to be used as a cancer treatment in the 1940s, science has continued to fight against a disease known and feared in equal measure. The advances are increasing and the ways to prevent and cope with it are increasingly accepted. Last Monday, the Spanish Network of Cancer Registries (Redecan) presented the report Cancer figures in Spain 2024, which analyzes the situation of the disease, the evolution of its incidence and mortality over the years and future projections. of the most common types of tumors, as well as risk factors and preventive measures.
One of the main conclusions of Redecan is the relevance of physical exercise, which, as they point out, reduces the risk of having breast and colon cancer (the most numerous), also bladder, endometrium, esophagus and stomach. Furthermore, if a tumor develops, physical activity reduces the risk of mortality by almost 20% in those most studied (breast and colon). These are, in graphs, some of the conclusions regarding the disease:
As Redecan points out, it is estimated that in 2024 there will be 286,664 new cases of cancer, 2.6% more than in 2023. Of all of them, more than half will be registered among men, and the most common will be prostate cancer. (more than 30,000), lung (about 22,500), bladder (more than 18,000) and colon (about 18,000). Among women, just over 43% of cases will be recorded, and the most widespread will be those of the breast (the most common of all, with about 36,500), colon (with almost 12,000), lung (more than 10,000) and body. uterine (more than 7,000).
In the last 10 years, the estimated cancer incidence rate for the whole group—except non-melanoma skin cancers—has decreased in men, from 732 to 679 per 100,000 men per year. Prostate cancer has fallen more than 20 points to 128 cases per 100,000 men, while lung cancer has fallen to nearly 95 cases per 100,000 men (more than 10 points).
Among women, however, the trend is reversed: the incidence rate per 100,000 women has grown since 2014, going from 415 to 441 per 100,000 women per year. In the main tumors, breast tumors have increased by 15 points to 130 cases per 100,000 women, while lung tumors have increased by more than 10 cases per 100,000.
In age groups, and in both cases, the probability of developing some type of cancer begins to grow from the age of 45. Up to 65, women have a higher risk of contracting some type of tumor (more than 15%). From here, that of men skyrockets until it reaches nearly 50% at age 80. In women, the probabilities at the same age are 32.7%.
Mortality trends show different values ??depending on sex. For example, while the incidence of female breast cancer has increased, mortality has decreased. Lung cancer, for its part, has skyrocketed in recent years.
Among men, however, the trend is reversed for lung cancer: while it peaked in the early 2000s, the survival rate has declined and has continued to do so ever since.
As Redecan’s projections for Spain show, cases will continue to increase. Among women, the most common, breast cancer, seems to slow down the increase in its projections around 2030.
Among men, the numbers also remain constantly on the rise. Just as an increase in the incidence of cancer is expected worldwide in the coming years, in Spain it is estimated that in 2040 the incidence will reach around 341,000 cases.
