Dr Santiago Viteri, specialist in thoracic tumors and head and neck tumors at the Oncology Institute Dr. Rosell, speaks about cancer in anticipation of World Cancer Day, February 4th

Barcelona, 27 January 2011 - With the aim of promoting the series of talks on cancer to be delivered by experts as part of the USP Dexeus Cancer Prevention Week, Dr Santiago Viteri appeared on RAC 1’s “Tot es possible” program speaking to Elisenda Camps.

The talks deal with subjects such as giving up smoking, healthy diet and screening, as well as answering questions such as “What can I do?” and “What habits should I adopt?” In addition, the Cancer Prevention Week tackles the experience of patients, family and friends with regard to the emotional impact of the suffering cancer causes and how this is incorporated into daily life.

Dr Viteri explained that the most important factor in cancer is prevention and that the sooner cancer is detected, the more effective the treatment. Good habits for the prevention of cancer are also crucial. Dr Viteri outlined some of the various effective techniques currently used for early diagnosis, such as mammograms, gynecological screening and colonoscopy which can detect small tumors that can then be easily treated. The Oncology Institute Dr. Rosell is also about to launch a program of yearly PET TAC screenings for high risk smokers.

Asked to comment on the recent Spanish Anti-Tobacco Law which prohibits smoking in all public places, Dr Viteri welcomed the protection it affords passive smokers but cautioned that the law does nothing to help smokers quit. He highlighted the crucial need for effective programs that help people to give up smoking, pointing out that not every smoker continues because they want to; many are unable to stop and need help. Dr Viteri pointed to the appearance of cigarette machines around 1900, and the easy access these afforded to pre-rolled cigarettes, as the start and principal culprit of the lung cancer epidemic. He said that, while it has yet to be proven that the risk to passive smokers is as high, tobacco is directly related with many illness, especially cancer of the lung which is now the most common form of all cancers. He also warned that all parts of the body through which smoke passes are at risk of developing cancer. Dr Viteri also noted that tobacco has steadily been disappearing from public spaces since the link between cancer and this highly potent carcinogen was proven.

Dr Viteri went on to explain that there are two factors involved in assessing risk from smoking: the number of cigarettes smoked, and the years that someone is a smoker. Whilst cancer risk reduces over time and the body begins to regenerate once a person quits, a ten-a-day smoker maintaining the habit for 10 – 15 years can consider themselves at very high risk of developing cancer. Dr Viteri affirmed that there is no ‘safe’ threshold, even one cigarette is one too many.

The interview concluded with a discussion of the genetic mutations discovered in 2004 which cause cancer in non-smokers, the subsequent development of medicines to block them, and the implications for personalized treatment. Following the discovery of these mutations, Dr. Rafael Rosell - Head of the Medical Oncology Department at the Oncology Institute Dr. Rosell, initiated an analysis of 2000 cancer patients in Spain to detect them. The Oncology Institute Dr. Rosell is unique in having its own molecular biology laboratory on hand for the detection of specific mutations and rapid application of the findings to clinical treatment.

As well as Medic and Clinical Coordinator at the Oncology Institute Dr. Rosell, Dr. Viteri is principal investigator in several clinical trials in lung and ovarian Cancer. He has also actively contributed to the publication of articles in renowned biomedical journals. In recent years, he has given presentations at international congresses and postgraduate courses (Mexico, Argentina, Greece and Germany).

World Cancer Day, February 4th. www.diamundialcontraelcancer.org