Cancer is a disease that arises from a change in the DNA of a cell, which begins to receive incorrect activity instructions and multiply uncontrollably, forming one or more tumors. This process can be slow or fast and can affect any organ or part of the body. It is currently the world's leading public health problem and is among the four leading causes of death before the age of 70 (considered "premature death") in most countries.

According to the most recent global estimate, carried out in 2018, there were 18 million new cases of cancer and 9.6 million deaths worldwide that year. The incidence is 15% higher in men (204.7 per 100,000) than in women (175.6 per 100,000). For Brazil, the estimate for each year of the 2020-2022 triennium is 625,000 new cases of cancer, with non-melanoma skin cancer being the most common, followed by breast and prostate, colon and rectum, lung and stomach cancer.

These numbers are relevant because information is a powerful weapon in the battle against the disease. The data collected worldwide provides our team with the resources to monitor and organize actions to control and raise awareness about cancer. It is part of our mission, through the Oncoclínicas Institute, to carry out campaigns aimed at both prevention (for those who do not have the disease) and promoting the quality of life and well-being of cancer patients.

It is worth noting that many types of cancer are currently curable, and the main factor for successful treatment is early diagnosis, followed by immediate treatment. This is why we reinforce in the campaigns developed by our clinical staff the importance of screening tests and paying attention to lifestyle habits (which can increase or decrease the risk of developing the disease), the presence of syndromes in the family (which can be risk factors) and heredity (cases of cancer in the family).