A better understanding of genetic variants that increase cancer risk helps prevention. Advances in knowledge in this area, as well as how family cancer consultations are already helping thousands to anticipate the disease, were central themes of the conference organized by the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) on this year World Cancer Research Day. Those who were unable to attend can now watch the recording on CanalCNIO.
The session, at CaixaForum Madrid, allowed non-specialists to listen to geneticist Ángel Carracedo, coordinator of IMPaCT Genómica, and researchers Mercedes Robledo, head of the Hereditary Endocrine Cancer group at CNIO, and María Currás, head of the Familial Cancer Unit at CNIO. Rosario Perona, deputy director of ISCIII, and José Enrique León, member of Friends of CNIO, also participated. Science journalist Pampa García Molina conducted the session.
“Cancer screening programs are going to change radically,” said Carracedo. “In the future, anyone willing to do so can be screened at age 20. If we anticipate the disease, we can save many lives.”