The Spanish Lung Cancer Group (GECP) warned that it remains the deadliest tumor, with 23,239 deaths in 2024, an increase of 1.9% on the previous year; Moreover, it is estimated that Only 3 in 10 patients live for five yearsAlthough the survival rate has improved by 12% in the past decade thanks to new research and treatments.
On the occasion of World Lung Cancer Day, the group has just launched the campaign Lung cancer dataIt is an initiative that seeks to develop… Face the data to the social impact of this disease In Spain. The project is supported by the GECP Thoracic Tumor (RTT) Registry, which already collects clinical and demographic information on more than 40,000 patients, becoming the most comprehensive pathology database in Spain and one of the largest in Europe.
In light of the registry data, lung specialists wanted to focus on the impact of tumors, which… Deaths continue to growThis is due to the high infection rate among females. Thus, it remains a tumor with a predominantly male face, but with an increased incidence in women.
Of the 32,610 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) enrolled by GECP, 72.2% were men and 27.8% were women. “Although the masculine appearance is still dominant, The infection rate among females continues to increase, especially among young non-smoking women With adenocarcinoma-type tumors or with treatable genetic mutations,” details Dr. Mariano Provencio, President of the GECP, who proposes “implementing strategies aimed at halting this progression.”
According to registry data, the largest group of patients (34.3%) are diagnosed between 60 and 70 years of age, followed by those between 70 and 80 years of age (28.2%). It is striking that One in 20 diagnoses (5%) actually occurs before the age of 50Which reinforces the need for prevention and early detection strategies. “We are seeing an increase in lung cancer diagnoses in young people, which is particularly concerning because it bucks the classic pattern of the disease associated with older ages,” Provencio emphasizes.
Specialists also highlight that although they have seen a slight improvement in recent years, it is still more Half of lung cancer patients in Spain are diagnosed in advanced stages. As Bartomeu Masotti, Secretary of the GEP, explains, “More than half of patients (56%) are diagnosed at stage III or IV, when treatment options are very limited.”
Stages IVB and IVA are the most common, while… Only 10% are detected in the early stages. The expert says, “These data highlight the need for a comprehensive national plan that places lung cancer as a priority within the country’s health strategy,” noting that smoking is still present as a direct cause of the disease.
Thus, 40.9% of patients enrolled in the RTT were active smokers at diagnosis, and 46.4% were former smokers, reflecting the cumulative effect of tobacco. but, More than 11% of patients had never smokedIt is a category that is growing steadily, especially among women. “In these cases, evidence points to possible environmental factors, such as atmospheric pollution and specific genetic changes,” Masotti says.
Targeted therapies and immunotherapy
Targeted therapies and immunotherapy have transformed the diagnosis of this tumor at advanced stages and brought new preoperative treatment strategies Very high response and survival numbers In the initial stages. However, they note, “there is still a long way to go to catch up with the survival of highly metastatic tumors such as the breast or colon.” In this context, the World Cancer Program highlights that only 4% of public investment in cancer is allocated to the lung, despite it being the deadliest.
“Investing in research is not an option, it is a necessity. Every new clinical study opens its doors The door to more effective treatments and early diagnosis. “Lack of funding is slowing progress in early diagnosis and personalized medicine for lung cancer,” says the GECP Trustee.
Another outstanding issue, despite the progress made in this area, is access to innovation. RTT data from the GECP reflect that access to genomic testing has improved significantly (more than 80% of patients in Spain have access to genomic testing, which is key to personalized medicine). Yet they claim it Regional disparities persist Which must be addressed through coordinated health policies.
“Approximately 40% of patients with advanced lung cancer have treatable changes, which It is key to offering them personalized treatments Which greatly improves their survival and quality of life. “That’s why it’s so important for all patients to have access to these biomarkers,” Masotti explains.
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