As part of “World Cancer Research Day,” Queen Letizia of Spain met with a set of researchers from ASIERI (Association of Spanish Researchers in the Italian Republic), chaired by Isabel Noguès, of the National Research Council’s Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Institute (CNR-Iret). The event, organized by AIRC (Italian Foundation for Cancer Research) together with the equivalent Spanish association (Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer), took place in Milan, Italy, at the IFOM (ETS Foundation Institute of Molecular Oncology) on Sept. 26. This initiative serves to raise awareness of the importance of cancer research and international collaboration among scientists, and this year had the theme “Innovation in Cancer Research to Drive Progress toward Health Equity.”
As part of the program, a panel discussion was held from which it emerged how innovation is essential in the entire cancer research process, from prevention and screening to early detection or treatment. Afterwards, His Majesty met with scientists who briefly presented their research activities, as well as ASIERI’s role as a meeting point for Spanish researchers and as a vehicle for science dissemination. It was a day of sharing and rich food for thought, during which the Queen showed great interest in research in general, and cancer research in particular. One of the key topics discussed with Her Majesty was the importance of genetic counseling in cancer diseases and prevention, emphasizing its role in early diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies. In addition, for Spanish researchers who have been in Italy for so long this meeting had a special significance of appreciation and encouragement for their work.