Spain health meetings address ageism in blood cancers and improve Parkinson care

In Salamanca, AstraZeneca and the Salamanca City Council hosted a forum titled "Compartimos HEMOciones" to discuss the impact of hematologic tumors—such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma—on older patients. Speakers highlighted the dual challenges of age‑related discrimination and social isolation, noting that about 27,929 new blood‑cancer cases are expected in Spain this year. Municipal leader Carlos Manuel García Carbayo stressed the need for local institutions to humanise care for the elderly, while patient‑advocacy groups called for clearer information and support.

Meanwhile, in Málaga, the local Parkinson’s Association organised its third professional‑patient meeting, bringing together neurologists, nurses, physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and primary‑care doctors. With roughly 7,000 diagnosed patients in the province and long waiting lists for specialist appointments, the group advocated for more regional neurology services and a practical clinical guide to streamline diagnosis and treatment. Both events aim to improve coordination between healthcare providers and patients, particularly for vulnerable older populations.