Experience does not always teach. At least this seems to be the case for postmenopausal women who should have a clear understanding of the rules of prevention and who, on the other hand, are not always among the ‘top of the class’ when it comes to following healthy lifestyles. This is demonstrated by the results of a survey conducted on 2,014 women residing in our country aged between 40 and 70 years. The survey is part of the new national campaign: “Menopause less … bad!” promoted by the Together Against Cancer Foundation.
Enhancing women’s health
Menopause is still regarded as a delicate period in female life. On this phase he wanted to investigate the survey carried out as part of the awareness campaign, made possible by a non-conditioning contribution from Lilly, Novartis and Pfizer, which aims to enhance the health of women no longer of childbearing age, to help her in dealing with this change in the best possible way and spreading a new culture of prevention and management of small and large ailments that this phase of life can entail. The project is presented today in a virtual press conference.
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Lifestyles in menopause
The survey shows that 59% of Italians say they feel worse than before, but for six out of ten it is a positive phase in every woman’s life. The data related to the lifestyles of over 40s are less positive. 24% smoke regularly while 21% admit to drinking alcohol every day. Only four out of ten claim to follow a healthy and balanced diet and 46% never practice sports and physical activity.
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The risk of developing cancer
Data that alone are enough to justify why it is necessary to do prevention in this age group. But there is more because precisely these behaviors can put women at greater risk of developing cancer. “Every year in Italy more than 64 thousand women, aged between 50 and 69, fall ill with cancer – underlines Francesco Cognetti, president of ‘Together Against Cancer’. Neoplasms today have to do less than in the past and in fact over 60% of patients are alive 5 years after diagnosis. Of these women, at least one in four has returned to have the same life expectancy as the general population. It can therefore be considered cured. Incorrect behaviors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, excess weight, physical inactivity and incorrect diet cause over 20 thousand deaths among women every year in Italy. So if we want to defeat oncological diseases, both primary and secondary prevention must be encouraged even after 45-50 years of age. As our survey clearly demonstrates, healthy lifestyles and adherence to screening programs are not always among the priorities of Italians who are no longer very young “.
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Menopause and cancer
61% of women are unaware of the link between menopause and cancer risk and, in fact, 79% would like to receive more information on this. “It is never too late to start taking care of your health – underlines Cognetti. With our new campaign we want to teach women how to behave to stay away from cancer after 50. In fact, cancer prevention has no age. Finally, the difficult period, which we are all experiencing, can no longer represent an excuse to continue with some incorrect behaviors or to abstain from certain exams ”.
Little primary prevention
The survey also revealed the lack of attention of postmenopausal women with respect to clinical examinations for cancer prevention. 71% of women, in fact, declare that every two years they undergo a mammogram. 52% do not regularly get Pap smears or HPV tests and only 41% say they do a fecal occult blood test every two years. “These are the three screening programs available throughout Italy for the prevention of breast, cervical and colorectal cancer – continues Riccardo Masetti, director of the Uoc of Breast Surgery of the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome. They are absolutely safe, minimally invasive and free, yet we have relatively low membership rates among the female population. Covid-19 has in fact interrupted many of these health services on almost the entire national territory, especially during the first wave. Almost a year after the end of the first total lockdown, screening has stopped or started very slowly because our health system is still in great difficulty. We therefore invite all Italian women to start undergoing these life-saving tests ”.
Few visits to the gynecologist
From the survey, conducted by ‘Together Against Cancer’, it emerges that 31% of respondents do not regularly go to the gynecologist for visits and checks. “All women starting from puberty should come to our clinics regularly – she adds Giovanni Swaps, past president of Sigo – Italian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics. This also applies to those in menopause as it is still a phase of female life in which health and well-being must be kept under close observation. Cancer screening programs begin at the age of 45/50 and other tests must be performed regularly. In all this, the gynecologist has a fundamental role in assisting and supporting women ”.
The bad habits of the pandemic
The health emergency, in addition to slowing down adherence to screening exams, has certainly worsened lifestyles and it is therefore now urgent to reverse the course. “In particular – he suggests Alessandra Fabi, Head of Precise Medicine Breast Cancer at the Gemelli University Hospital in Rome – we advise postmenopausal women to plan a little physical activity every day, obviously respecting the anti-Covid regulations in force. Sport reduces the symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress and loneliness that can affect the over 50s. From the oncological point of view, it is then demonstrated that it is able to reduce mortality and the risk of breast cancer by at least 50%. It also decreases the likelihood of colon cancer by 60%. Sport, recommended during menopause and post-menopause, should have a low mechanical impact to avoid the onset of musculoskeletal injuries ”.
It’s never too late
Menopause is no longer considered ‘the beginning of the end’ but rather a new phase in life with the opportunity to dedicate more to oneself. “Thanks to daily precautions, menopausal disorders and psychophysical metamorphosis should no longer be a problem – he concludes Paola Malaguti, medical director at 1 INT Regina Elena medical oncology. Historical and cultural changes have almost removed the negative meaning from a social point of view. All this allows a woman to face even the change of the body in the best possible way “.
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