Estimated 42,851 malignant tumors diagnosed in Catalonia in 2024

It is estimated that 42,851 malignant tumors were diagnosed in Catalonia in 2024, with 24,293 in men and 18,558 in women.

These are estimates from the Department of Health made public to coincide with World Cancer Day, Tuesday, February 4.

According to the data, the five most frequent tumor types in Catalonia in men were: prostate (4,856), colorectal (4,305), lung (3,800), urinary bladder (1,496) and liver (888), which represents 63.2% of the total cases diagnosed during the year 2024 in men.

In women, the five most frequent tumor types were: breast (5,439), colorectal (2,720), lung (1,295), uterine corpus (970) and pancreas (704), which represent almost 60%.

The health department also announced that there were almost 17,000 deaths due to cancer in Catalonia in 2024.

In men, 6.9% of cancer cases are diagnosed before the age of 50, and 52.1% are diagnosed after the age of 70. In women, cases diagnosed before the age of 50 are higher, 15.1%, while 44.3% are diagnosed after the age of 70.

Experts say many cases can be avoided

Around 40% of cancer cases could be avoided, according to many doctors and researchers from Vall d'Hebron interviewed by the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

They point to risk factors such as diet or pollution, and warn that the number one factor is tobacco.

Dr. Josep Tabernero, head of Oncology and director of the VHIO, sees reason to “limit” the spaces where smoking is allowed, while Dr. Enriqueta Felip, an expert in lung cancer, speaks more directly about “eliminating” tobacco from society.

Experts also emphasize research and expect major advances in biomarkers that can predict a tumor years before symptoms appear in the next decade.

"Tobacco is the number one, number two and number three risk factors," says Dr. Marcos Malumbres, ICREA professor and group leader at the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), on the occasion of World Cancer Day.

Around 20% of cancer cases are linked to tobacco, affecting not just lung cancer but 15 other types and cardiovascular diseases.

Experts speaking at a recent VHIO event in Barcelona stressed the need for stricter smoking regulations, including expanding bans in public spaces. Some advocated for stricter measures, such as the UK’s plan to phase out cigarette sales.

Beyond smoking, other major cancer risk factors include alcohol, poor diet, a lack of exercise, infections, and pollution.

Experts highlight the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, reduced red meat consumption, and sun protection.

Pollution is also a proven cause of cancer, prompting calls for greater use of public transport, electric cars, and cleaner energy. This led experts to call for systemic policy changes, as they are deemed essential for meaningful impact.