The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazónhas stated that “the main enemy of this Consell is cancer and we will continue to invest in research and innovation to defeat it.”
This was stated during the opening of the 2nd Congress for People with Cancer and Their Families in the Valencian Community, organised by the Spanish Association Against Cancer.
The head of the Consell has conveyed his gratitude to the Spanish Association against cancer of the Valencian Community for organizing this meeting for the second time, which “brings together top names in both oncological research and the comprehensive treatment of the disease.”
He also advocated for unity of action “among all” so that, through research, innovation and efficiency in healthcare management, oncological diagnosis “becomes increasingly better.”
During his speech, he argued that cancer treatment should be “comprehensive and addressed with appropriate procedures, and with the necessary psychological support for patients and their families.”
He stressed that the fight against this disease is “a priority for the Consell” and announced that the Ministry of Health is finalising a new strategy for the period 2024-2027 to “guarantee equitable access to oncological resources, diagnosis and treatments to respond to the real needs of patients”.
Using Artificial Intelligence for detection
During his speech, the highest representative of the Valencian Executive stated that “the Consell works to offer personalized care to cancer patients thanks to precision medicine and the drive for innovation.”
In this way, he stressed that the Valencian Community “is pioneering the implementation of artificial intelligence for the diagnosis of breast cancer and thus the initiation of treatment.”
In this regard, he said that the Valencian government is finalising the incorporation of mammography reading systems using Artificial Intelligence in the breast cancer prevention units of the Hospital Clínico and La Fe in Valencia, the Doctor Balmis Hospital Centre in Alicante and the General Hospital in Castellón.
So, Mazon He stressed that this process will improve the accuracy of tumor detection, as professionals will focus on cases where a suspicion is detected. In addition, it will be another tool to reduce diagnostic lists.
“Artificial Intelligence will enable the breast cancer screening programme to fulfil its purpose and allow women to undergo mammograms every two years, as established by the protocol,” she said.
On the other hand, regarding prostate cancer, the La Fe Health Research Institute has designed and applied, since last June, two Artificial Intelligence computer solutions for the clinical management of the disease.
The president of the Generalitat also highlighted the future proton therapy plant at La Fe Hospital, which will be created through collaboration between the Generalitat Valenciana and the Amancio Ortega Foundation. The entity donated the machine a few years ago and this autumn work will begin on the building next to the hospital that will serve the entire Valencian Community.
He also highlighted the implementation of the third Gamma scalpel, which was launched this year in Spain at the Hospital Clínico de València after obtaining the required authorisation from the Nuclear Safety Council.
Thus, since the Consell’s commitment to speed up diagnosis and treatment, other initiatives have been launched such as the acquisition of 10 new mammogramsthe radiotherapy service at the Gandía Regional Hospital or the population screening programme for cervical cancer that has been started in health centres in six departments and will be extended to the rest in 2025.
In addition, for the first time, the Generalitat has the figure of the coordinator of the Cancer Strategy and Precision Medicine in Oncology.