Portugal advances cancer care through awareness campaigns and strategic health proposals

In Portugal, initiatives are being launched to address the challenges of blood cancers and broader oncological care. The Municipality of Loulé has partnered with the Portuguese Association Against Leukemia (APCL) for the “Se eu mandasse” (If I were in charge) campaign during Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September.

The campaign aims to improve health literacy and humanize care by giving a voice to patients and healthcare professionals. Based on feedback from 11 patients and 9 professionals, the initiative focuses on four strategic areas: diagnosis and access to care, humanization, the organization of the National Health Service (SNS), and patient support during and after treatment. Blood cancers account for approximately 7.8% of all diagnosed tumors in Portugal.

Concurrently, discussions regarding a Strategic Pact for Health emphasize the need for an integrated approach to cancer management. Proposed priorities include placing prevention and health literacy at the center of public policy, expanding organized screening programs, and ensuring equitable access to diagnosis and innovation to address the complexities of an aging population and increasing cancer incidence.