Madrid/More than a thousand people die in Sancti Spíritus for some type of cancer, with the lung, prostate and colon among the most lethal. It is a small portion of the more than 25,000 Cubans who die annually on the island as average in the last five -year period. Cuba had in 2023 A 246 cancer mortality rate for every 100,000 inhabitants.
The data is not very useful on its own or if compared to that of other nations, since the detection – high in the most developed countries – alters the evaluation of numbers without context. But if compared to the previous years on the island itself there is a significant growth, since the 225 of 2019. The interview published on Tuesday by the provincial newspaper Escambray With the head of Oncology of Sancti Spíritus It shows the worsening of the conditions of the health system, which cause an increasingly late diagnosis and, therefore, potentially deadly.
“Thinking about cancer would avoid diagnoses in advanced cases and, believe me, the best solution for cancer is early diagnosis,” reflects Jorge Álvarez Blanco. “Pen as a,” he continues, “most of us we are dealing with at this time in consultation are already cases in three and four stages. Notice what sadness, what more unfortunate reality, we are using the few and expensive resources we have for those who in many cases will no longer be able to cure.”
“Penarioly,” he continues, “most of us we are dealing with at this time in consultation are already cases in three and four stages”
The interview is focused on potentially avoidable tumors and how to prevent them, a point where some issues of interest arise. For example, that the most common cancer on the island is skin, among other reasons due to the lack of culture of protection. In Cuba, sunscreens are a more popular product among tourists – the majority are sold in hotels or currency stores and the few that are seen on social networks have no great demand – that among the population, where it has not penetrated the idea that the dangers of skin cancer that, the minusvalue doctor himself. “Due to sun exposure, tropical climate, to the still insufficient culture of protecting themselves by the non -availability of good protectors, etc. … This is a disease that has very little mortality and, therefore, sometimes until we omit,” he says.
Álvarez highlights, for its severity and incidence, the lung, directly linked to smoking. They are followed by the prostate and colon, ahead of the breast, the best prognosis has a priori. But the pitfall remains the detection, late due to the shortage of diagnostic tools. “This is done by all the specialties, according to the area they attend and then refer us to us. We are arriving most of the cancers in non -curable stages,” warns.
The oncologist sets as an example the tumors in the colon, which are cured by 80% when detected in the early stages, but that in the province are already being diagnosed when there is intestinal occlusion. In some countries, such as Spain, it is systematized for the entire population over 50 years old, a screening test that is carried out at home through a simple kit that analyzes a laboratory and allows hidden blood to be found in feces, a possible symptom of this type of cancer.
Álvarez states that hospitals are not poorly equipped for treatments and that even when the budget items of each center were detailed – commencement from which it follows that they are no longer – 90% went to oncology, which requires a large amount of resources. However, he admits that things are not right. “We need very precise diagnostic means, as openly available tomographies, even to evaluate how the answer is going after we apply the treatments, whether they are effective or not, if we must change them or add medications. We also have problems to know the exact stage in which the tumor is due to the lack of diagnostic means,” he adds.
Even more serious is the lack of radiation machines, one of the most common therapies to reduce or eliminate a tumor and need 60% of patients. “Cuba has eight radiotherapy units distributed in the country, but about a year ago we cannot radiate any case in Villa Clara because there have been difficulties of different types with the equipment, in its renewal in the license, since it is nuclear energy for human purposes,” he warns. According to the oncologist, the problem is complicated, because there are more provinces in a similar situation, such as Holguín or Matanzas and even Havana. “Irradian 60 or 70 patients in a country who has been without a team at some point. It is very complex not to have radiotherapy.”
“Irradian 60 or 70 patients in a country who has been without a team at some point. It is very complex not to be able to have radiotherapy”
It is not the only worrying lack. The doctor warns that, despite the fact that the Ministry of Health makes “efforts”, in Sancti Spíritus there is a shortage of some cytostatics (medicines that stop the growth of some tumors) of the basic medication picture, of which just a few weeks ago it was learned that it was 50% in the province.
“Many times we do not have the treatment at the right time, chemotherapy schemes are made up of up to four medications and they have no alternative. They are four or none. That complexes the treatment in a disease that does not allow waiting and forces us to make individual decisions,” he admits. Only immunotherapy has a guarantee of stability, although – another problem – the products that are offering the best results at the international level are not available in Cuba.
Álvarez took advantage of a good part of the interview to alert that a healthy lifestyle is the best tool to prevent cancer and recommended the usual tips that are not always simple to continue on the island, including the consumption of fresh products – fruits and vegetables -, regular practice of exercise and the elimination of tobacco and alcohol.
In addition, he insisted on the importance of not delaying the consultation with the doctor in the face of any sign that something is going wrong, from the loss of weight to intestinal changes, packages, spots or repetitive cough. “I do not want to ignore how complex this issue is done for primary health care, which is the first barrier because it is well prepared and designed, but it really does not have all the conditions to study the signs of this disease. Thinking about cancer would avoid diagnoses in advanced cases and, believe me, the best solution for cancer is early diagnosis.”
