More than 13.000 Canary Islanders will be diagnosed with cancer throughout this year 2026This figure, beyond its epidemiological impact, reflects the emotional, familial, and social magnitude of this disease. Cancer is not just a medical condition: it is a process that transforms the life of the person who suffers from it and the lives of those closest to them.
To mark the World cancer dayWorld Health Day, which is commemorated every February 4th, this year's motto focuses on two essential aspects for quality care: The humanization of the cancer process and the need for truly comprehensive care.
A path that shouldn't be filled with uncertainty
For many patients and their families, facing a cancer diagnosis involves a complex journey: multiple tests, consultations with different specialists, treatments administered at various centers, and even contradictory information. This lack of integration and consistency in care It increases anxiety, hinders decision-making, and fragments the attention process., at a vital moment that demands clarity, security and support.
Cancer patients, far from being passive spectators, must be positioned at the center of the care processTheir autonomy must be guaranteed through a truthful, understandable information adapted to your personal, family or social needsDeciding on treatments cannot be a solitary burden or an imposition: it must be a choice supported by professionals capable of empathizing, informing, and listening.
Comprehensive, not fragmented, care
La comprehensive cancer care This is key to providing a comprehensive approach to cancer. This means that medical treatments must go hand in hand with other support services, such as psychological, nutritional, dental or rehabilitative supportall within the same hospital environment, avoiding unnecessary travel and waiting times. Fragmented healthcare is a barrier for the patient's well-being and may compromise the effectiveness of the treatment. Furthermore, the implementation of programs of prevention and mitigation of adverse effects Side effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss or polyneuropathy, should be considered a priority within a truly humane approach focused on the patient's quality of life.
A role model: the Canary Islands Comprehensive Cancer Center of San Roque University Hospitals It is a leading center in the Canary Islands for this comprehensive and compassionate care. Thanks to the multidisciplinary work of its professional team, patients have access to a complete diagnostic and therapeutic pathway, with centralized services that save time, build trust, and provide greater comfort. Among its areas of expertise and technology are brachytherapy and robotic radiotherapy, intraoperative radiotherapy, immunotherapy and oncological hyperthermia, pioneering programs in the Canary Islands to prevent hair loss and chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy, and many others.
All this without losing sight of the most important value: the patient and family experience.
The patient plays the leading role. Therefore, on this World Cancer Day, the message must be clear: Patients have the right to understand, decide, and be accompanied at all times.
