Also in the Puglia Region, genomic tests for patients with breast cancer must be reimbursable and thus made available to patients. The purchase of these tests was approved and funded nationally at the end of 2020 but to date only Lombardy, Tuscany and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano have approved their reimbursement. Only in Puglia with the test about 600 women every year could avoid unnecessary chemotherapy. This is what emerged during a webinar organized by the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM).
The event is part of a virtual tour that includes eight regional meetings, to raise awareness among oncologists on the role of genomic tests in breast cancer. The project is carried out with the unconditional support of Exact Sciences. “As AIOM we collaborated for the first time in writing the implementing decree to make the tests available throughout the national territory – underlines Saverio Cinieri, President-elect of AIOM and Director of UOC Medical Oncology and Breast Unit of the ASL of Brindisi -. The provision was presented at the end of March but we are awaiting feedback from the Ministry of Health. These examinations undoubtedly represent an additional weapon in the hands of specialists as well as a useful tool for patients. Numerous studies have produced relevant scientific evidence that demonstrates absolute utility for those cases of tumors at intermediate risk of relapse. For years they have been used with great success in the USA, Canada and in various European countries. The time has come for all women affected by breast cancer to be guaranteed in Italy as well. However, the indiscriminate use of the test must be avoided and therefore it is up to the oncologist, after an appropriate multidisciplinary discussion, to establish when and how it should be used “.
“Breast cancer is the most frequent and widespread oncological pathology in our country – he underlines Tiziana Latiano, AIOM Puglia Coordinator -. In Puglia there are about 2,700 new cases a year and as regards the trends in mortality rates for breast cancer expected for 2020 they show a decreasing trend, over 6% compared to 2015. In the last twelve months we have had to face the numerous emergencies dictated by the pandemic and therefore many screening tests and follow-up checks have been stopped. We therefore risk in the coming years to have an increase in the number of cases of cancer diagnosed at an advanced stage. It is therefore absolutely necessary to use all the tools in our possession that allow us more timely diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Genomic tests are essential as they avoid unnecessary treatments for women that have important side effects. And then they allow savings for regional health systems. We therefore hope that the tests will be reimbursed as soon as possible also in our Region ”.
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