Landspítali strengthens cancer care as annual cases are forecast to rise

Iceland could see about 3,500 cancer diagnoses a year by mid-century, up from around 2,000 today. Landspítali has established a cancer centre to coordinate care and prepare for rising demand, mbl.is reports.

Agnes Smáradóttir, chief of medical oncology at Landspítali, says advances in cancer treatment are steady and patients’ prospects for recovery are improving. She was part of the steering group that prepared the centre, which was established several months ago and is now being consolidated.

The centre is not a separate building or institution. It is a cross-hospital unit where leaders from clinical and research departments coordinate work on cancer treatment and related services. A patient representative now sits on its board, and Landspítali has formalised research cooperation with the University of Iceland’s Faculty of Health Sciences.

Agnes said establishing the centre was necessary for Landspítali to apply for quality accreditation from OECI, an organisation of 100 leading cancer centres and institutions in Europe and elsewhere.

The projected rise in cases is partly linked to the population’s increasing average age. About 280 women in Iceland are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, while around 290 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. About 150 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer annually, and the number is increasing.

Agnes said several factors may contribute to the increase in colorectal cancer, including greater consumption of ultra-processed foods, physical inactivity, higher body weight and possibly extensive antibiotic use, particularly among children, which can affect gut flora.

She said the health system must make better use of Landspítali’s facilities and existing technology, and recruit more staff. She also called for better support for patients and families who can feel lost in the treatment process. Recording treatment pathways as part of quality accreditation should clarify the role of each unit and help patients understand what to expect. A new service manager role will support patients and act as a contact point for those receiving treatment from several units.

Agnes said cancer prevention should be visible at Landspítali in line with quality standards. Prevention is a long-term effort, she said, and government must support the public in adopting a healthy lifestyle.