The Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR) has recalled, on the occasion of World Cancer Day, which is celebrated on February 4 of each year with the aim of increasing awareness and information and mobilizing society in the prevention and control of This disease, which in Spain is diagnosed 277,000 new cases of cancer each year, of which 40 percent are cured with radiotherapy alone or combined with other treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy, also increasing the quality of life of patients.
Due to the pandemic, the SEOR has highlighted that the good results, already advanced in multiple clinical trials carried out, are confirmed, which is leading to the hypofractionation of radiotherapy, that is, the application of higher daily doses with fewer sessions. According to the president of the SEOR, Jorge Contreras, hypofractionation allows giving “few sessions, with guarantee and security.” For example, in breast cancer, we do it in five sessions instead of 30; and in prostate, instead of 7 or 8 weeks it is done in 5 “, he points out.
Likewise, it indicates that radiotherapy has gained prominence as an effective alternative to other treatments that have not been possible due to the healthcare pressure caused by COVID-19, as is the case with surgery.
For this reason, the SEOR encourages patients to seek consultation at the slightest symptom. Studies show that cancer will affect one in three women and one in two men in their lifetime. In this regard, Contreras assures that “the pandemic is bringing into play two very important approaches in oncology: early diagnosis and consensus in therapeutic decisions.” “For this reason, fear cannot paralyze us. If you remain without consulting, you will not have COVID-19, but the cancer will be worse in terms of consequences,” he adds in this regard.
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