Last year, over 185,000 new cases of cancer were estimated in our country in the female population, about 10,000 more than in 2019, the year preceding the outbreak of the pandemic. Colorectal cancer is the second most common in women, surpassed only by breast cancer. Research is progressing but still today the most effective weapon against this big killer remains the prevention.
The New York Times recently reported a sharp increase in diagnoses among 20- to 30-year-olds. Incorrect lifestyles are among the main causes: “Obesity, cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse are the main risk factors”, underlines Luigi Ricciardielloprofessor of gastroenterology at the University of Bologna e Airc researcher. “This increase in under 50 cases is also being recorded in Europe. At the moment it does not concern Italy, but considering the high obesity rate in our pediatric population it could manifest itself over time if we do not work on prevention ”she added.
Colorectal cancer
In Italy, colorectal cancer represents the second cause of death from cancer over the age of 50. Although diagnoses are on the rise, adherence to screening is far too low: 7 out of 10 people do not undergo a check-up .
This tumor it almost always originates from adenomatous polyps which take on average between 7 and 15 years to transform into malignant forms. It is in this time window that preventive screening allows you to make an early diagnosis and act as a lifesaver.
Early diagnosis
It is performed with a fecal occult blood test: it is offered free of charge by the national health system over the age of 50 and is repeated every two years.
Scientific research
Together with Airc Ricciardiello is carrying out research on the effect of the molecules contained in omega 3 fats in combination with other molecules, such as those of green tea. In fact, their combination can regulate the alteration which is the basis of colorectal cancer.
Ricciardiello and his team are studying the action and efficacy of these substances against the development of tumors in patients with an important goal: to obtain real drugs from them.
“In the last 13 years my group has mainly focused on the study of chemoprevention of colon cancer – the researcher specified – The work carried out between Dallas and Bologna have shown that natural substances taken with the diet protect against the development of colon cancer in pre-clinical models. Furthermore, these natural substances have important effects on already formed tumours. These results are of absolute importance in consideration of the low toxicity, with the possibility of administering them to patients at high risk for cancer or affected”.
Sunday 14th May in the main squares of Italy, you can buy theResearch Azalea of the Airc Foundation and help finance the studies of researchers on female cancer.
Airc, the strength of women