A lifetime of leadership in cancer research
Manuel Sobrinho Simões, a towering figure in European pathology and the founder of IPATIMUP (Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto), has long shaped Portugal’s course in cancer research. Recognized in 2015 by The Pathologist as the world’s most influential pathologist, his work sits at the crossroads of scientific discovery, clinical practice, and public education. In an interview with Campeão das Províncias, conducted around the national Day for Thyroid Cancer Awareness, he reflects on the future of cancer, health policy, and why Portugal must continue investing in science.
A career built to serve people
IPATIMUP, established in 1989, was designed to bridge university research with patient care and hospital medicine. MSS emphasizes that success comes from keeping science “very close to public service,” and from training generations of specialists in oncology pathology. The institute’s approach blends laboratory research with clinical collaboration, hospital involvement, and public outreach—an effort MSS still cherishes today. He notes that his team’s strength lies in forming a pipeline: medical doctors and scientists train side by side, ensuring that advances reach patients as quickly as possible.
Towards a future where most cancers are controllable
One of MSS’s most striking prognoses is not merely about new therapies but about the trajectory of cancer control. He believes that in the next 20 to 30 years, more than 95% of cancers could be controllable, provided the medical community continues to improve early diagnosis, targeted treatments, and sustained patient follow-up. While brain, pancreatic, stomach, and liver cancers remain challenging, he argues that for most organs, the combination of early detection, precise interventions, and supportive care makes a dramatic difference in outcomes. This optimistic view frames cancer as a condition that will increasingly resemble a manageable chronic disease rather than a fatal diagnosis.
Thyroid cancer in Portugal: data, reality, and public understanding
Portugal’s cancer landscape shows thyroid tumors as the seventh most frequent overall and the third most common in women, according to the latest national and OECD data. Yet the prognosis is favorable: five-year survival for thyroid cancers exceeds 93% in recent regional cancer registries, underscoring both the effectiveness of management and the importance of early detection. MSS points out that many diagnosed “nodules” are benign or reflect functional disturbances such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which is increasingly prevalent. The challenge, he says, is to maintain vigilance without amplifying fear around a condition that is often highly treatable.
Public health and the National Health Service
From MSS’s viewpoint, Portugal’s NHS is a source of pride, having driven notable health successes like reduced child mortality. However, he warns of gradual erosion in quality and capacity over the past decade. The solution, he suggests, lies in reorganizing care to strengthen primary medicine, better connect hospitals with local clinics, and reduce bureaucratic obstacles. A more integrated system would empower physicians, nurses, and technicians to collaborate more effectively, with patient-centered literacy shaping healthier communities.
Research funding, education, and the social role of science
Looking to the future, MSS worries about the potential consequences of funding cuts, including the possible dissolution of bodies like the FCT. He argues for a balanced scientific ecosystem where basic research, clinical application, and social sciences inform each other. He cautions against neglecting the human element of science—the caregivers, the patients, and the communities that sustain public trust. He also highlights the importance of early medical education that interlinks medicine with nursing and allied health disciplines to foster teamwork and translational impact.
Message to the public: prevention, partnership, and perseverance
For MSS, the core message remains clear: prevention, early diagnosis, and ongoing care for patients and caregivers are indispensable. He champions a culture of collaboration—between clinicians and researchers, between associations and patients, and across disciplines—so knowledge translates into tangible benefits for everyday life. “We need everyone,” he says, emphasizing that a robust health system requires social imagination as much as scientific prowess.
Focus on thyroid awareness and daily life
On thyroid cancer awareness, MSS stresses that the disease’s danger lies in misperception. While nodules are common, many thyroid issues are benign or easily managed with careful imaging and clinical assessment. He praises Portuguese endocrinology and pathology for their high standard of care, and he links awareness with quality of life, noting that reducing unnecessary surgeries and maintaining balance in lifestyle choices are crucial parts of modern thyroid health.
As Portugal continues to invest in science and public health, MSS’s outlook remains a beacon: with sustained research, education, and compassionate care, a future where cancer is increasingly controllable is within reach.
