This Sunday I invite you to celebrate International Breast Cancer Day. In this social environment in which we find ourselves, haunted by the nauseating corruption of people who should be exemplary (and are not) and by the psychosis generated by the Ebola virus, I cling tightly to what was instilled in me in my family environment: to find the positive side of things and to be grateful.

To date, the positive side of a breast cancer diagnosis is that more and more women are being cured of this pathology. The three fundamental factors that have influenced the increase in breast cancer survival in the last 25 years have been the acquisition of healthy lifestyle habits, the high participation in early diagnosis campaigns (which in our Autonomous Community start earlier than in other autonomous communities) and the considerable improvement and individualization of the therapies applied.

Healthy habits are based on a balanced diet (low in animal fats, high in fiber, fruits and vegetables) while maintaining an adequate weight: obesity is a poor prognostic factor in this disease. This must be complemented with physical exercise at least 4 days a week. Namely, each one should choose the sport that motivates them the most, so that they can practice it frequently. This has to be seasoned with good happiness, the kind that takes away stress and releases laughter and endorphins at the same time.

Adherence to early detection campaigns allows the diagnosis of the disease in early stages, when it has not yet spread to other organs, so that the chances of cure are virtually assured with proper treatment and a lot of care.

In addition, with the implementation of molecular advances in the disease, it has been possible to differentiate four types of breast tumors, each with a different biological behavior and a different therapeutic need, achieving better results in survival and reducing the associated toxicity, which implies a better quality of life. Currently, not all breast tumors need chemotherapy. With local therapies (surgery and radiotherapy) always complemented with a maintained oral anti-estrogenic hormonal treatment we can achieve excellent results. Other times we need specific biological therapies associated with chemotherapy, in the event that the tumor expresses an aggressive protein called HER2. In mid-September of this year, they have just communicated in the European Oncology congress that the addition of pertuzumab (antiHER2 therapy) to the standard treatment that was being done so far in metastatic patients with HER2 tumors, increases survival by almost a year and a half. Brutal. Exciting. Superb. The Achilles heel in breast cancer continues to be the group of tumors with triple negative subtype, especially in patients with hereditary tumors associated with specific genetic mutations. And with that name, there must be little good to come of it. But wait, smile, there are also advances here: a new drug group , PARP inhibitors, is being studied with good expectations.

In closing, it only remains for me to thank these warriors for their serenity, their energy, their perseverance and their sense of humor. The outlook for breast cancer is already hopeful; let us not cloud it with corruption or other frivolities. And don't forget to smile.