Cancers in Spain continue to grow. It is estimated that by 2025 the 296,103 cases are reached, which is a slight increase of 3.3% Regarding 2024, with 286,664 cases, according to the report ‘Cancer figures in Spain 2025’, prepared by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and the Spanish Network of Cancer Registries (Redecan).
Behind this increase there are several causes: «The population increase (in 1990 the Spanish population was about 38,850,000 inhabitants and in 2024 of 48,946,035); population aging (age is a fundamental risk factor in cancer development); exposure a Avoidable risk factorssuch as tobacco, alcohol, pollution, obesity or sedentary lifestyle, and, early detection in some types of cancer such as colorectal, and breast, cervix or prostate, ”explains Dr. Jaume Galceran, president of Redecan .
Precisely the rTobacco education It is related to a clear decrease in lung and urinary bladder cancer in men, while in women the incidence of lung cancer is 2.4 times higher in 2025 than in 2006.
They are also increasing, although light, breast cancer cases in women and pancreas cancers, kidney, thyroid and non -Hodgkinian lymphomas in both sexes. In the case of thyroid cancer, Dr. Galceran blames him for the “overdiagnosis of small tumors that would never evolve.” Regarding pancreas and kidney tumors, the expert says that the causes are not very clear, but that there are a variety of factors that influence the chronic inflammation of these organs and that they are related to the “westernization” of the diet and lifestyle.
Tobacco, alcohol and obesity They continue to be some of the most important and avoidable risk factors related to cancer. To the point that around a third of cancer deaths are due to tobacco, infections, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle and inappropriate diets (insufficient amount of fruit and vegetables), according to data published by WHO in its world report of cancer.
Tobacco is by far the Risk factor responsible for a greater number of cancers. It is behind more than 90% of lung cancer cases, and is a fundamental causal agent in many tumors, such as heads and neck, urinary bladder, kidney, esophagus, pancreas, stomach, colon and straight others.
Despite this, according to the INE, around 20% of the Spanish population smoke dailyaccording to data collected in the Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention and Control of Smoking 2024-2027. Experts are also worried about the use of electronic and vapetrings cigarettes, especially among the young population, where there has been a strong increase since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to data from the study study 2023.
Regarding alcohol, it is a risk factor for multitude of cancers, such as hepatocarcinoma and esophageal, colon and straight, breast and oral cavity cancers, among others. There is no safe alcohol consumption level. The risk of cancer increases even with low consumption. In addition, together with tobacco, it produces a synergistic effect, multiplying by up to 30 the risk of certain tumors.
As for obesity, it is positioned as the second risk factor responsible for more cancers in the United States, and At least nine types of cancer are associated such as breast, endometrium, colon, renal, gallbladder and pancreas, among others.
Although in Spain the obesity figures still move away from those of the United States: in 2022 it affected 13.7% of the adult population and the overweight of 33.6%. But the case of childhood is very worrying, with overweight and obesity figures close to 30%.
Regarding infectious agents (for example: HPV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, H. pylori) related to cancer, there are up to ten of them classified as carcinogens by IARC, with a maximum impact on developing countries in developing roads those who become responsible for 25% of tumors.
As for physical exercise, a fundamental pillar in the healthy lifestyle, it is estimated that Cancer risk could reduce up to 30% of breast, colon, bladder, endometrium, esophagus and stomach, and reduce almost 20% the risk of cancer specific mortality. In addition, it has been shown to improve the quality of life and reduce the side effects derived from oncological treatments.
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