EPIDEMIOLOGÍA DEL CÁNCER EN QUITO

Abstract

We live in unprecedented times. During the course of this century, cancer is set to become the leading cause of premature death in every country of the world, and the single most important barrier to further increases in life expectancy. Cancer imposes a significant burden on individuals, families, and society; yet national investments in cancer prevention and treatment will permit millions of healthy-years of productive life to be gained over the next decades. In a rapidly evolving landscape, population-based cancer registries inform on priorities and track progress in cancer control, thus documenting the potential economic and public health dividends of such actions. The magnitude and profiles of cancer have been undergoing major change in many transitioning countries over the last decades, emphasising the need for the continuous monitoring of cancer-specific incidence rates over time, and a reappraisal of cancer priorities, accordingly. Over the last three decades, the National Cancer Registry of Quito has consistently represented an example of a highly functioning cancer registry, both within the Americas and worldwide.