Barcelona, November 18, 2024.- Lung cancer affects more than 4,000 people a year in Catalonia1being the first cause of death from cancer.2 With the aim of analyzing and discussing the current challenges and the most recent innovations in the diagnosis, treatment and care planning of this disease, specialists in oncology, pulmonology, radiology, surgery, patient associations and health management have met in Barcelona during the day ‘Awareness and commitment: together against lung cancer’organized by Roche.
According to the document ‘Cancer statistics in Catalonia in 2023’In 2023, there were an estimated 3,739 cases of lung cancer in men, of which 53.3% were diagnosed in people over 69 years of age. In women, the incidence reached 1,245 cases, of which 44.4% affect people over 69 years of age.2
Furthermore, as stated in the Catalan Cancer Plan 2022-2026, growth is expected between 2015 and 2025 in the number of lung cancer cases, with an increase of 27.3% in the case of women, due to the increase in the prevalence of smoking that began in the seventies; and 13.3% in men, who have been giving up this habit since the mid-eighties.1
Despite the advances of recent years, this tumor continues to be one of the most lethal due to its late diagnosis in many cases, which highlights the need to promote early detection strategies and develop advanced treatments that can improve survival and quality. of patients’ lives.
In her speech, the doctor Edurne Arriolahead of the Thoracic and Genitourinary Tumors Unit at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, has emphasized the relevance of research and collaboration in oncological care: “Lung cancer is an extremely complex disease that requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. This type of cancer, often diagnosed in advanced stages and closely associated with smoking, poses significant challenges that cannot be addressed in a single medical setting. “We need active cooperation between the different specialists involved in the process to be able to offer patients personalized treatments that are truly effective and that take into account their individual characteristics.”.
The conference also highlighted the importance of updating oncological treatments, both in local administration and in the systemic approach. In this context, the doctor Juan Carlos Trujillohead of the Thoracic Surgery Service in the Joint Service of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and the Hospital del Mar, has indicated that “We have reached a point where lung cancer cannot be understood from a surgical or medical perspective alone. Currently, the approach requires a vision that transcends conventional treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy. Our goal is to offer a comprehensive treatment that not only seeks tumor remission, but also considers the needs of physical rehabilitation, psychological support and continuous monitoring, which allows the patient to receive more complete care and recover the highest quality of life. possible life.”
Finally, Federico Plazadirector of Corporate Affairs at Roche Farma Spain, has highlighted the company’s commitment to promoting innovative and more accessible healthcare. “Our vision goes beyond pharmacological innovation. We believe in a health model in which the patient is at the center of all our decisions, and that is why we promote a collaboration network that includes all actors in the health system. In the case of lung cancer, where the diagnosis is usually late and the prognosis complex, our goal is to help each person have access to the best available treatments, as well as accurate and early diagnoses. In short, we work to transform the management of this disease, relying on technology, personalized medicine and a network of specialists committed to improving each stage of the care process.”.
The event ended with a call for joint action by health professionals, institutions and society to continue promoting the early diagnosis and effective treatment of lung cancer, within a framework of personalized and quality care.
About lung cancer
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Every year 1.8 million people die from this disease, which translates into more than 4,900 deaths per day worldwide.3 Lung cancer can be broadly divided into two main types: NSCLC and MPC. NMSC is the most common type and represents around 85% of all cases.4 Currently, approximately half of people with early-stage lung cancer (between 45% and 76%, depending on the stage of the disease) experience a cancer relapse after surgery, despite adjuvant chemotherapy.5 Treating lung cancer early, before it has spread, can help prevent the disease from coming back and offer patients the best option for a cure.6
About Roche
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of original medicines, Roche has become the world’s largest biotechnology company and a global leader in in vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics to improve and save the lives of people around the world. We are pioneers in personalized medicine and want to further transform the way healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To offer the best support to each person, we partner with many other entities and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharmacy with data insights from clinical practice.
In recognition of our efforts to seek a long-term perspective in everything we do, Roche has been named, for the 13th consecutive year, one of the most sustainable companies in the pharmaceutical industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. This distinction also reflects our efforts to improve access to healthcare together with local partners in all the countries in which we work.
Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. In addition, Roche is the majority shareholder of Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.
For more information, visit www.roche.com y www.roche.es.
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How does a multidisciplinary approach to lung cancer treatment enhance patient outcomes, and what challenges remain in implementing this model?
Interviewer: Let’s start with some background information about lung cancer. Edurne, could you please provide us with an overview of the current state of lung cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care in the healthcare system? How has it evolved in recent years?
Edurne Arriola: Absolutely. Lung cancer is a complex and often fatal disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach involving different medical specialties. In recent years, we have seen significant advances in understanding the biology of this condition, leading to personalized treatments that target specific genetic mutations. There has also been progress in diagnostic tools like low-dose CT scans and blood tests, which allow for earlier detection of lung cancer in high-risk populations. We have also improved surgical techniques, making it possible to perform more complex procedures with greater precision and success rates. However, a major challenge we face is the late diagnosis of lung cancer, which often results from the stigma associated with smoking and a lack of education about the risks. This is why events like today’s forum are so important for raising awareness and promoting early detection.
Interviewer: Juan, as a thoracic surgeon, you mentioned that lung cancer treatment cannot be understood solely through a surgical or medical perspective. Could you elaborate on the importance of a comprehensive approach in treating lung cancer?
Juan Carlos Trujillo: Absolutely. Lung cancer treatment has become increasingly complex, involving not only surgery and chemotherapy but also immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies. Each patient’s treatment plan should be individualized based on their specific diagnosis, genetic makeup, and overall health. We need to consider not only the physical aspects of cancer but also the patient’s mental and emotional well-being. A comprehensive care plan should include physical rehabilitation, palliative care, and psychological support to help patients navigate the challenges they face during and after treatment. By working together with other medical specialties, we can improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with lung cancer.
Interviewer: Federico, Roche has been actively involved in promoting lung cancer awareness and advancing the field through research. What are some of the key challenges you face in improving lung cancer outcomes
