Global action is needed against ovarian cancer. He remembers itOvarian Cancer Coalition on the occasion of May 8, the World Day to raise awareness of this neoplasm which, according to estimates, will affect 12 million women in the world by 2050. A Day which Italy also takes part in, where every year approximately 6 thousand new diagnoses: “We share the initiative which focuses on overcoming disparities and inequalities between patients – he states Sandra BalboniPresident of the association Lotto Dept – Innovation and medical-scientific research are leading to the development of new anti-tumor treatments. They are usually very effective, more personalized than previous treatments and are able to give new chances to thousands of women. However, they must be made available to all women who have to face this difficult disease.”
Oncology care, strong disparities between Regions by Letizia Gabaglio 13 December 2023
The risk factors
Ovarian cancer is a very complex pathology, as you also remember Rossana Berardi, President of the Scientific Committee of Loto OdV and National Treasurer AIOM-Italian Association of Medical Oncology: “It presents very heterogeneous morphological characteristics and is divided into different subgroups. The risk conditions are above all endocrine factors: among these the most frequent are nulliparity, infertility or a first pregnancy over the age of 35. There are also other factors such as genetic ones and those linked to the presence of alterations associated with an increase in oncological risk. The most important are mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes which also play a role in breast and prostate cancers. On the contrary, multiparity, breastfeeding and prolonged use of oral contraceptives reduce the risk of onset”.
Gynecological cancers: boom in check-ups due to the “Kate Middleton effect”. Why and when to have checks by Irma D’Aria 29 March 2024
“Until a few years ago we had no possibility of preventing ovarian cancer – he adds Giovanni Scambia, full professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Catholic University and director of the Oncological Gynecology Operational Unit of the Agostino Gemelli IRCCS University Polyclinic Foundation -. Today, however, advances in knowledge of the genetics of this tumor allow us to identify people at risk.” “For this reason we have created a clinic at Gemelli dedicated to the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with genetic predisposition”, underlines Anna FagottiProfessor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Catholic University and Director of the Ovarian Carcinoma Unit of the hospital.
Ovarian cancer: what is the HRD test and why it is useful for choosing therapy by Irma D’Aria 30 March 2024
Initiatives for World Ovarian Cancer Day
Also as part of World Ovarian Cancer Day, the “IO despite everything” project was born today for patients being treated at the Gynecology Oncology department of the Gemelli Polyclinic, to help them take care of their image. Group events will be organized to share ideas and tools to enhance oneself through the use of colours, clothing, accessories, make up and skin care, with the help of specialized consultants in collaboration with Asso Style Image (ASI).
Ovarian cancer: a ‘team’ of 16 experts is underway for early diagnosis and access to the most advanced treatments by Irma D’Aria 27 March 2024
The Senate of the Republic will also join the Day and the façade of the institutional headquarters of Palazzo Madama in Rome will be illuminated in Tiffany blue, the symbolic color of the fight against the disease, on the night between 7 and 8 May. The webinar “One Healthon: focus on ovarian cancer and HPV” will then be held on 14 May, while on 15 May Ancona will host the second edition of the conference “Medico-legal evaluation aspects Oncology, Work, Invalidity” in collaboration with INPS. Finally, from 17 to 18 May, the “Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer” conference will be held in Bologna, sponsored by Loto OdV.
Ovarian cancer: why it is important to be treated in a specialist center and how to find it by Irma D’Aria 30 March 2024
The importance of turning to reference centers
“The disease should only be addressed by specialist doctors in reference centers from multidisciplinary pathology groups composed of gynaecologists, medical oncologists, radiotherapists, anatomic pathologists and experts in supportive therapies – concludes Balboni – This does not always happen in Italy and therefore we recommend that patients and caregivers to only turn to centers with a high volume of interventions (that is, they treat many cases a year, ed.) where, not surprisingly, the best survival rates are recorded”.