Prevention and Innovation are Key to Fighting Cancer  / @SSalud_mx

#MinistryOfHealth, #Mexico.– In observance of the National Day of the Fight Against Cancer (26 October), the Director General of the National Cancerology Institute (INCan), Óscar Gerardo Arrieta Rodríguez, emphasised that prevention remains the single most powerful tool against this disease. He estimated that a substantial 30 to 40 per cent of cases could be averted through healthy habits and a reduction in critical risk factors like smoking, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. The institute firmly reiterated its «commitment to comprehensive care, medical innovation, and prevention» in tackling the complexities of this illness.

Dr Arrieta Rodríguez highlighted that cancer continues to be a major global cause of morbidity and mortality, with the World Health Organization reporting approximately 20 million new cases diagnosed annually. Confronted by this serious challenge, INCan is resolutely promoting early diagnosis, advocating for vital screening procedures such as mammograms, cervical smears, and colonoscopies. This timely detection is paramount, significantly enhancing patients’ survival prospects and overall prognosis.

In terms of medical provision, INCan has substantially boosted its operational capacity to cater to individuals lacking social security, now managing over 280,000 consultations and admitting around 8,800 new patients each year. The institute’s advanced service provision is notable, encompassing 62,000 radiotherapy sessions and conducting more than 6,500 annual surgeries. Significantly, this includes the deployment of robotic surgery, a technology proven to notably reduce postoperative complications and patient hospitalisation times.

The pervasive impact of technological advancement is evident at the institute, notably through the adoption of stereotactic radiosurgery, alongside the application of personalised biological therapies and immunotherapy. The Director confirmed that «today we can offer targeted treatments based on molecular biomarkers,» which yields improved patient outcomes while simultaneously mitigating adverse side effects. These cutting-edge techniques are fundamentally transforming the «life expectancy» for thousands of individuals affected by oncological conditions.