Professor Antonio Arroyo of UMH Appointed New President of the Spanish Association of Coloproctology

Professor Antonio Arroyo, a prominent figure in the Department of Pathology and Surgery at Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) and the Head of Surgery at the General University Hospital of Elche, has been appointed as the new president of the Spanish Association of Coloproctology (AECP) for the next two years. The appointment was announced during the AECP National Congress.

The Spanish Association of Coloproctology is the leading organisation for professionals dedicated to diagnosing and treating some of the most common and demanding conditions within the field of General Surgery and Digestive System. These include common anal issues such as fissures, haemorrhoids, fistulas, and incontinence, as well as the management of colorectal cancer.

According to data from the Cancer Observatory of the Spanish Association Against Cancer, it is estimated that in 2024, 41,167 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in Spain, making it the most frequently diagnosed tumour in the country across both sexes. It ranks as the second most common tumour in men after prostate cancer and the second in women after breast cancer.

The incidence of colorectal cancer is slightly higher in men than in women. Overall, colorectal cancer accounts for nearly 15% of all tumours diagnosed in 2024.

The AECP has over 1,000 members and dedicates a significant portion of its efforts to education through numerous courses and congresses aimed at specialists and residents, as well as national and international scholarships for hospital placements.