“Our generation will be renown as the one which obtained the permanent and definitive control of cancer, and in many cases, it’s cure”

Dr. Hernán Cortés-Funes, Director of the Onocology Department of HC Hospitales, receives us in his practice on the 2nd floor of the High Care Hospital in Marbella, with a big smile that gives you an indication about his life’s passionate challenge: to continue advancing with his research on cancer.

You have participated in more than 100 clinical tests with new drugs and therapeutic methods.  Tell us how this helps in the fight against cancer?
In the first place, we have a renowned work model.  Today, it is to lead one of the clinical research centers of the country, to be part of the knowledge that is being obtained from the research, and to apply the results to our patients.  By following this work model, we see that the cancer death rate decreases more and more each time.  The fundamental objective of this type of research is denominated as translational, which is to try to accelerate the transmission of this knowledge to the treatment of cancer patients.

You have spent many years treating patients and doing research. What do you want to accomplish in Marbella?
Applying the knowledge that we have on the most recent advancements in cancer treatments and associating it with a level of excellence in personalized medical care in Marbella, which is one of the most complete and beautiful cities in Europe, can easily reach the highest levels of quality care for each patient.  If we factor in the possibility to receive treatments in one of the most pleasant places such as the HC Hospital, which has unique surroundings and first class comfort, this completes the maximum quality of service we want to give to our patients.

What type of relation exists between HC and the best cancer centers in the World?
There has been more and more fluidity between the research and medical care services within all oncological centers in the world.  The systems to share information have become globalized and today, Marbella has made it to the universal map in an outstanding manner.  HC collaborates with these centers as today, everything is based on team-work.  Moreover, we continuously train our staff on how to work in teams to be able to achieve excellence in cancer care at HC.

Is there a máximum limit as to where cancer research can reach?
Ofcourse, and every day it will be easier to reach the end, meaning to be able to fully control the disease, and in many cases to cure it.  Our  knowledge of cancer is finite and each time more complete; the human genome is already decoded, and there is nothing else that is unknown.  Now we are in a moment of apparant complexity and confusion, but this will clear up in a short period of time.  In the next 20 years, we will live the history of cancer as our generation will be known as the one which obtained the permanent and definitive control of the disease.

What does HC Hospital have to offer in terms of improved treatments?
At HC, we always try to be on the cutting-edge of medicine, not only in diagnosis but also in therapeutic techniques.  In this respect, we are fully equipped with the most recent advancements in all diagnostic procedures at the molecular-genetic level of each cancer, as well as in the most sophisticated analytical and imaging techniques.  At the therapeutic level, we offer the most advanced facilities for the administration of any type oncological treatment, from simple to complex.  From minimally invasive surgery to any type of treatment with the latest drugs and soon, the ultimate generation in radiotherapy techniques; when integrated, offers cancer patients the possibility to achieve the maximum care possible to fight against the disease.

What level of expertise does the HC team have?
The level of expertise of the oncological team of HC is primordial.  It is the confirmation that we have an elite team, continuously growing and always within the maximum level of excellence.  The message I want to give is that we are doing a good job, and we will continue to offer the best.  This compromise that I have with HC is what we should continue capitalizing on with positive energy towards the best possible recuperation of our patients.

To finalize the interview, how do you value the first and only radio-diagnostic facility located in the Puerto Deportivo of Sotogrande in  the municipality of San Roque?
Naturally I think that it is a big step in the improvement of the already existing medical services in the area.  The radio-diagnostic facility is fantastic.