"Talking about cancer saves lives."

Nearly 60 students, young researchers and professionals from the University of Navarra participated in the event"Hacking Viruses to Save Lives", organized by the Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit (UCC+I), in partnership with the Cima University of Navarra. This scientific knowledge dissemination meeting was led by Juan Fueyo and Candela Gómez-Manzano, doctors and researchers specialized in neuro-oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center (USA) and international references in the development of innovative therapies for brain tumors. Marta Alonso, biologist specialized in pediatric oncology and world reference letter researcher at the Cima University of Navarra, also participated.

For more than an hour, the experts explained to the audience how reprogrammed viruses can attack brain tumors, opening up new possibilities for cancer treatment, addressed the importance of communication and offered advice to the new generation on how to start their research degree program .

Science, communication and metaphors

During his intervention, Fueyo quoted Susan Sontag and her work Illness and its Metaphors ( 1977). According to this author, the metaphors that surround these diseases not only stigmatize or idealize the patients, but also hide the reality of the disease itself. Cancer, in particular, recalled Fueyo, has been the object of a war metaphor, reflecting social fears. The expert shared this analysis, highlighting the importance of communication and how it can influence our perception of cancer and our ability to deal with it. Thus, in contrast to the words "silence will not protect you" of the poet Audre Lorde, he emphasized that "talking about cancer saves lives" and stressed that the visibility of the disease is a fundamental step in the fight against it.

A global challenge, a scientific response

In addition, Fueyo and Gómez-Manzano addressed the global challenge posed by cancer, a disease whose impact is projected to increase in the coming years. According to the World Health Organization, cancer cases will increase by 47% in the next two decades, which implies an urgent need for new research and treatment strategies. Against this backdrop, experts have encouraged young students and researchers to think about their future as scientists and their contribution to this global cause.

The event included a dynamic in which the researcher Marta Alonso also participated. It was a dialogue with the participants, encouraging young people to ask core topic questions about the role of science in the treatment of cancer. Some of the most important questions were why adenoviruses are the subject of viruses most used in cancer therapy, or what mechanisms are used by viruses to attack tumors without damaging healthy cells, or if there are any drugs currently marketed against cancer with this subject strategies, among others.

The students, coming from different Schools, such as Science, Pharmacy and Nutrition or Medicine, and from research centers of the University, such as Cima or the research center in Nutrition, were very interested in how these innovative therapies could transform medicine.

The event not only provided a space for scientific knowledge dissemination on the use of viruses against cancer and the importance of communication, but also served as a reminder of how "the partnership between patient and doctor, together with a positive mentality, can make the difference in the treatment and evolution of the disease," said Fueyo.