Italian oncologists are worried and do not hide it. “It is crucial that the screening exams, in particular for breast and colorectal cancer, restart at full capacity”, insisted the president-elect of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) Saverio Cinieri. “Today we are unable to estimate the damage caused by diagnostic delays: we will really see the effect of the pandemic in oncology in the next two years”. The appeal, relaunched during the webinar “Update on breast and colorectal cancers. AIOM meets patient associations”, is to encourage the examination of occult blood in the faeces and mammograms after the abrupt interruptions of the year. past. “Thanks to these tests – explained Cinieri – we can detect breast and colorectal cancer early, the two most widespread and frequent neoplasms in Italy, which each year register over 98 thousand cases among both men and women”.
“Expand” the age range for breast cancer screening
Aiom data indicate a steady increase in recent years of breast cancer cases throughout the country. Also for this reason it is essential that mammography screenings start again as soon as possible: “They are life-saving exams”, reiterated Cinieri, who added that AIOM requested last July the expansion of the population range to which they are addressed, from 50-70 years to 45-74 years.
Breast cancer, it is essential not to postpone screening and visits
by Tiziana Moriconi
The virtual meeting with patient associations was also a moment to bring attention back to self-examination, which “must become a fixed appointment with prevention at the end of each menstrual cycle and which must be marked on the calendar as suggested by colleagues. American oncologists “.
Colorectal cancer: let’s not lose ground
Colorectal cancer is also one of the most common cancers in our country (and beyond), but it can be prevented or detected early by an occult blood test in a really effective way. “This is a non-invasive test and in different regions it can be carried out by delivering a sample to the pharmacy,” explained Lisa Salvatore, of Medical Oncology, A. Gemelli IRCCS University Hospital Foundation in Rome. “In this way we avoid those accesses to the largest health facilities that still worry many citizens. In Italy, the number of new cases of colorectal cancer per year is decreasing also thanks to screening, which allows the identification of precancerous lesions. It is an excellent result and we hope that the decline in incidence will not be undermined by this terrible pandemic ”.
Colorectal cancer: Risk increases if colonoscopy is delayed
by Marta Musso
Furthermore, from a therapeutic point of view, much progress has been made and there will be some news in the next Aiom recommendations. “The latest evidence suggests introducing immunotherapy as a first-line treatment for metastatic colon cancer characterized by microsatellite instability. It will be compassionate use for now, but we expect to obtain reimbursement, ”said Salvatore. “Another novelty concerns the treatment of colorectal cancer characterized by BRAF mutation. This alteration is present in only 10% of cases, which usually have a worse prognosis. The introduction of new targeted drugs, however, can change the history of the disease in these patients “.
Prevention, always
The risk of developing cancer can be reduced by leading a healthy life: no smoking and no alcohol, and weight control through a balanced diet and exercise. “The tips on nutrition for cancer patients are the same as for the general population: consume a lot of fiber, legumes, dried fruit, while it is better to reduce meat consumption to 1-2 times a week and avoid grilled meats”, Salvatore specified. “All physical activity is fine compatibly with one’s health conditions: there are no sports that are not recommended for a cancer patient”, added Cinieri. “Although I take the liberty of recommending activities such as swimming and rowing to my breast cancer patients because it seems that we have lymphatic drainage. Domestic cleaning, on the other hand, should not be considered physical activity “.
“Finally, primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer should not be forgotten,” said Cinieri. “We have two basic tools at our disposal which are the HPV-test and above all the free vaccination for adolescents”. It is even possible to totally eliminate this neoplasm by encouraging some health practices. This is an objective that some states are setting themselves, such as Australia, and which can also be achieved by Italy ”.
Covid vaccines: it’s time for fragile patients
Finally, experts underline the importance of vaccination against Covid-19 for cancer patients. “As a fragile category, national directives provide for vaccination with mRNA products, Pfizer or Moderna therefore”, Cinieri insisted. “But any vaccine is fine, whether you are cancer patients in active therapy or in follow-up: the important thing is to get vaccinated”.
Covid, oncologists ready to vaccinate
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