Students from Psychology and Health Sciences, including those in Medicine, Physiotherapy, and particularly Nursing, attended the event organized by the Vice-Rectorate for Sustainability, Health, and Sports of the UAL and the AECC in Almería. The session centered on breast cancer, coinciding with the World Day dedicated to this disease on October 19th, and had a significant human element by giving a voice to cancer patients who shared their experiences from diagnosis through treatment.
Gabriel Aguilera, Vice-Rector for Sustainability, Health, and Sports, thanked the Spanish Association Against Cancer for their collaboration, emphasizing that such activities bring students and the entire UAL community closer to the care reality. He highlighted the importance of future health professionals being able to speak with both those working in breast cancer research and treatment, and with patients themselves. The round table featured three patients who shared their firsthand experiences, offering future professionals direct insight into their priorities and needs.
The event was inaugurated by Magdalena Cantero, president of the AECC in Almería, who expressed the desire for the university's high-quality education to be complemented by a specific connection with the Spanish Association Against Cancer, given the frequency with which healthcare professionals encounter patients with this condition. Cantero reported that over 500 cases were diagnosed in the province of Almería last year, averaging more than one per day, and stressed the importance of incentivizing research.
Following the inauguration, Juan Manuel Rodríguez, Head of Surgery for the Breast Unit at the Torrecárdenas University Hospital, introduced Marina Álvarez, Head of Diagnostic Radiology at the Reina Sofía University Hospital in Córdoba, a national reference in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. She delivered the day's keynote lecture, titled ‘Innovations and challenges in breast cancer screening’. A subsequent round table, moderated by Magdalena Cantero, included patient testimonies from Maravillas López (lawyer), María del Mar Rodríguez (nurse), and Francisco Tornés (doctor).
