Spanish oncology services mark significant milestones

The Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra is celebrating 25 years of Spain’s first lung cancer screening program. Since its inception, the program has treated over 6,000 high-risk individuals, resulting in 160 diagnoses. Notably, 75% of these cases were detected in early stages, with a ten-year survival rate of 80%. The program utilizes annual low-dose CT scans for patients aged 50 to 80, primarily those with a history of tobacco use. Specialists are now advocating for expanded criteria to include non-smokers and are exploring the integration of artificial intelligence and molecular biomarkers to improve diagnostic precision.

Separately, the Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal commemorated 30 years of its Medical Oncology Service. The anniversary event, attended by health officials and medical experts, focused on the evolution of cancer treatments and patient-centered care. To mark the occasion, oncology professionals participated in a tree-planting initiative in La Garganta de los Montes, Madrid, to create a commemorative forest symbolizing the specialty’s legacy and future.