Portugal’s Medical Trailblazer on the Horizon of Cancer Control
Manuel Sobrinho Simões, a physician-scientist celebrated for his long-standing leadership in cancer research, looks to a future where cancers are managed more as chronic conditions than as existential threats. In an interview with Campeão das Províncias, he blends reflections on the past with bold predictions: within 20 to 30 years, more than 95% of cancers could be controlled. The claim rests on advances in diagnosis, targeted therapies, and a health system that links research to clinical care. At 78, he remains an indefatigable advocate for science in Portugal and a guiding force behind IPATIMUP, the Institute of Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto.
A Life-Shaping Institution: IPATIMUP’s Mission and Impact
Founded in 1989, IPATIMUP stands as a global reference in cancer pathology and molecular immunology. The institute embodies a close alliance between academia, hospitals, and public service—an ecosystem Simões believes can thrive outside of bureaucratic bottlenecks. He emphasizes training as a central pillar, noting that IPATIMUP has mentored over a hundred young specialists and interns from Brazil who have become stars in oncological pathology. Beyond research, the institute prioritizes dissemination, outreach to schools, and community engagement, underscoring his conviction that science must be accessible to the public.
Engaging the Public: Tratar o Cancro por Tu
In January 2026, IPATIMUP will resume the national initiative Tratar o Cancro por Tu, aimed at discussing scientific advances with the public, highlighting new therapies, and stressing early diagnosis and prevention. The program centers six sessions a year, each tackling a different cancer or theme. The early editions addressed organ-specific cancers, with 2024 expanding to include prevention, heredity, nutrition, and treatment modalities. Simões notes that the initiative has made a tangible difference by turning expert knowledge into everyday conversation, helping citizens become informed participants in their health.
The Future of Cancer: A Grim Reality and a Bright Prospect
While he acknowledges persistent hurdles—brain, pancreatic, stomach, and liver cancers remain formidable—Simões is optimistic about a near- and mid-term trajectory. He contends that, for most other organs, progress will translate into higher survival and greater control. The thyroid, in particular, is cited as a case where outcomes are favorable: current data show five-year survival rates above 93% in Portugal, and thyroid tumors often require less aggressive surgical approaches as early detection improves. The surgeon’s perspective is balanced by a cautionary note: rising incidence of thyroiditis and autoimmune diseases, influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors, compels a broader public health lens.
Thyroid Awareness in Portugal: Why It Matters
Simões describes the thyroid as a powerful but overlooked organ. Nodules are common, and many detected tumors are small and benign. The key message to the public is prevention and literacy: most thyroid issues do not threaten life, and diagnostics can be precise without invasive procedures in many cases. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is on the rise, a trend linked to aging populations, environmental exposures, and immune system dynamics. The endocrinology field in Portugal is robust, with clinicians and pathologists delivering care that often exceeds the standard seen in comparable countries. Public-health messaging should emphasize balanced lifestyles, early investigation of functional changes, and informed decision-making about treatment options.
Public Health, the SNS, and the Future of Science Funding
Simões is unstinting in his praise for Portugal’s National Health Service (SNS), highlighting its achievements—such as reducing child mortality—while warning that quality has eroded over the past decade due to systemic fragilities and organizational challenges. He calls for better integration of family medicine, more connected networks between hospitals and primary care, and a modernized workforce incentive model. On science funding, he voices concern about the potential abolition of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), arguing that a healthy balance between basic research and clinical application is essential. He also warns against neglecting the social sciences, philosophy, and humanities—areas that help society think critically about research directions and public policy, including tobacco control and health education.
Conclusion: A Lifelong Pursuit of Knowledge and Care
For Simões, medicine is a vocation rooted in people: patients, families, and clinicians who learn from each other. The interview underscores a persistent belief: progress against cancer requires not only scientific breakthroughs but a public culture that values prevention, lifelong learning, and collaboration across institutions. His words are a call to invest in science, to advance early diagnosis, and to cultivate a health system that can translate research into improved outcomes for all Portuguese citizens.
