Breast and colorectal cancer represent the two most frequent tumors in Italy. Their diagnosis becomes a nightmare for patients and families. However, early identification through organized screening and currently available therapies can change the prognosis and quality of life. An important Italian scientific study, published in the journal “International Journal of Cancer” (born from the collaboration between the Oncology Reference Center of Aviano IRCCS, Azienda Zero of the Veneto Region, the Italian Association of Cancer Registries, and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità) has demonstrated how the recovery from breast cancer is 99% if the diagnosis is made in the initial stage of the disease. After 10 years from the identification of the tumor the risk of recurrence is equal to 5%. Similar results were obtained for patients with colorectal cancer.
There are approximately one million women alive after being diagnosed with breast cancer in Italy. Great attention will have to be focused on the population recovered after cancer diagnosis: it will be necessary to implement legislative interventions aimed at oncological oblivion (law 193 of 2023) and at reducing the stigma surrounding former cancer patients.
It is crucial to increase regional adherence to organized screening programs in geographical areas such as Sardinia, where according to the PASSI program the rates are lower than the national average.
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