Vision for a Future Where Cancer is Controllable
Manuel Sobrinho Simões, a renowned pathologist and founder of IPATIMUP in Porto, has long been a beacon for cancer research in Portugal. At 78, he remains deeply engaged with science, training new generations, and translating research into public health impact. He predicts a hopeful future: within 20 to 30 years, more than 95% of cancers could be controllable, aside from a few particularly challenging tumor types. This is not mere optimism; it reflects decades of work at the interface of research, clinical practice, and public health.
A People-Centered Approach to Cancer Therapy
Simões emphasizes therapy and knowledge that revolve around people. His “Treat Cancer with People” initiative, launched through IPATIMUP, is returning in January 2026 with a nationwide program to discuss scientific advances, new therapies, early diagnosis, and prevention. The program currently runs six sessions annually, each carefully selecting the most feared cancers. In recent years the focus has covered breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, skin cancers, pediatric tumors, and leukemias. The 2024 edition expanded the dialogue to include prevention, heredity, nutrition, and treatment strategies, underscoring the importance of engaging citizens in health care decisions.
IPATIMUP: A Model of Research and Education
Founded in 1989, IPATIMUP is widely recognized as a center of excellence in cancer research. Beyond discoveries, the institute prioritizes people: training more than 100 young specialists and interns from Brazil, collaborating with general and oncology hospitals, and actively engaging in public outreach with schools. Simões highlights a close-tied network between the university, public service, and academia, a model he believes counters excessive bureaucracy and brings science closer to everyday life. As he notes, the institute’s success stems from a genuine passion for the work and a commitment to disseminating knowledge beyond the laboratory walls.
Advocacy and Patient-Centered Partnerships
As a longtime driver of the Thyroid Diseases Association (ADTI), Simões stresses the value of working with patient organizations. Such collaborations help keep research grounded in patient realities, bridging gaps between scientific advances and the people who live with disease. The partnership model, he argues, elevates thinking and keeps clinicians, researchers, and patients in constructive dialogue—essential for progress in cancer prevention and care.
Cancer in Portugal: Trends and Thyroid Cancer’s Profile
Recent data indicate ongoing growth in cancer incidence in Portugal, with more than 66,000 new cases estimated in 2022. The Global Cancer Observatory identifies lung, breast, and colorectal cancers as the most common types, with notable disparities across income groups. Thyroid cancer is among the more common endocrine cancers, ranking seventh overall and third among women in Portugal. Yet the prognosis is often favorable: 5-year survival for thyroid cancers exceeds 93%. This mix of rising incidence and high treatability informs public health priorities, including screening and awareness campaigns tied to thyroid health and endocrine disorders.
A Bold Diagnosis for a Bold Future
Looking forward, Simões believes that the frontiers of cancer care will hinge on earlier detection and less invasive treatment. For most organs aside from a few like the brain, pancreas, stomach, and liver, prognosis may improve substantially over the next two decades. He foresees a world where the need for extensive surgical procedures diminishes, in part due to better diagnostics and targeted therapies. The challenge, he notes, is to scale literacy about cancer and thyroid health so that people seek care early and rely on scientifically guided prevention and management.
Public Funding and the Science Ecosystem
Simões cautions about policy shifts that could undermine research, such as the potential extinction of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). He argues that robust basic science funding is vital, alongside applied research and social sciences that help society think about health, risk, and behavior. The postgraduate training pipeline, clinical translation, and public health initiatives all depend on a healthy ecosystem where science and policy reinforce each other. He stresses the need for a health system—especially a national health service—that values collaboration between hospitals, nuclear centers, and primary care, as well as the professionals who sustain them.
A Personal Note and a Message for Readers
For Simões, the core message is simple: prevention, early diagnosis, and ongoing patient support are essential. He also highlights the often overlooked role of caregivers and the importance of collective effort—“we need everyone,” he says. This pragmatic optimism—founded on decades of research, training, and public engagement—drives his work and his belief that the future of cancer care can be brighter for Portugal and beyond.
