A permanent commitment to fight cancer

With World Cancer Day observed on February 4, for many associations in our area concerned with caring for residents with cancer it was a time to take stock. Great advances have been made in oncology and perhaps even more in the region with thanks to MABS, Anemona, Aspanion, APAMM, Cancer Care Javea and of course the AECC.

The AECC – the Spanish National Cancer Association was founded in 1953 the oldest and biggest charity in Spain. Now with 52 provincial offices and 2000 local centres they are at the very heart of the fight against cancer.

When AECC began it was because the founders considered there were not enough services offered by the public health system so they began with oncology treatments building up regional health centres and the next decade saw the setting up of early detection services, psychological support , health education and palliative care and then into the 21st century with dispensation of more information, comprehensive care including social and voluntary service, psychological help and most importantly research.

The association believes that 7 in 10 cases could be prevented and they work on many levels to provide information and knowledge to the public.

AECC runs campaigns of health education, how to stop smoking, skin cancer prevention and encouraging men and women to have regular checks for breast, cervical, colon and prostate cancer as part of their belief in the ‘early warning system’.

The Scientific Foundation of the association manages the funds that they devote to research.

Since 2013, 70 million euros has been provided for research and 380 projects to investigate prevention, and they have established 30 research centres in 30 provinces. Thanks to investigation survival rates have increased by 20% in the last 20 years.

Investigation, research, say AECC is the engine to achieve cancer as an illness that is preventable, curable or containable.

All the organisations devoted to cancer care and support for patients and their families are non-profitmaking and reliant on donations and the help of volunteers. Virtually everyone you meet has experience of the disease, personally or through family members and friends.

You as a member of the public can join the fight and help to provide the resources by supporting fund-raising campaigns, donations, and/or volunteering.

Offer your help to at least one of the local cancer support organisations.