Cancer, the objectives for 2024: reducing waiting lists, work permits and psycho-oncologists

The arrival in the Chamber of Deputies bill to regulate

hours of behavior (lateness) and work permits
for cancer patients. The proposed law on the inclusion of psycho-oncologist within multidisciplinary teams for patient care. The participation of associations at decision-making tables in matters of health. Lreduction of waiting lists
to strengthen and improve access to cancer screening for the early diagnosis of tumors. These are the objectives of the Group «Health: an asset to be defended, a right to be promoted» emerged during a meeting held on 30 January in Rome, at Palazzo Wedekin, where the main stakeholders met for the second consecutive year on the occasion of the
World Cancer Day
the international day for the fight against cancer, which occurs on February 4, to raise public awareness, promote prevention and improve access to treatment.

The requests of the associations

For the occasion, all the political forces present and the Minister of Health Schillaci himself, in a recent speech, renewed their commitment to supporting the requests of the 45 oncology and oncology-hematology patient associations that are part of the Group. The dancer, choreographer and television star was the exceptional witness of the day Carolyn Smith, who for years has been sharing his experience with those who are facing the same path. The initiative's slogan was hashtag #cancerhasnocolourbecause, as the politicians who attended reminded us, “when dealing with the needs and problems of cancer patients there are no political divisions”.
The meeting was also attended by Minister of Disability, Alessandra Locatelli: «The greatest achievement that can be achieved in this era, full of difficulties but which also offers many opportunities, is to put the person at the center: I believe that no therapy can be truly effective without a humanized treatment path. This is an essential dimension, the only one that really allows us to give concrete answers for the future, for the care of patients. A person certainly needs therapy, all health aspects, but without the relational, emotional, social, sometimes even sporting and recreational dimension, that person is not truly free, there is truly no dignity in that life.”

The voice of patients

In fact, the commitment of all political forces in protecting the rights of oncology and onco-hematology patients has characterized the initiatives of the Group, which in 2024 celebrates ten years of activity and commitment in support of patients to implement feasible and sustainable proposals, that allow the Group's priority objective to be achieved: humanize care with psycho-social interventions that improve health and quality of life of patients, and promote comprehensive care of the person affected by cancer. As a first step in the new year, the unified text of the bill arrived in the Chamber for general discussion yesterday bill which regulates the conduct and permits of workers, public and private, affected by oncological and onco-haematological diseases. An important step forward in the process that should lead to the final approval of the Bill in 2024. «We express satisfaction at the arrival in the Chamber of the bill for workers suffering from cancer – he says Annamaria Mancuso, president of Salute Donna Odv and coordinator of the advocacy group -. It is a step towards its approval, which we hope will be as rapid as possible in the interest of still productive patients who, in addition to having to deal with treatments and checks, encounter various difficulties in their work activity. In these 10 years we have seen the institutions' sensitivity towards the topic of cancer and above all towards the needs of patients and their families grow and this was by no means a given. The objective to be achieved is to do not leave patients alone and improve their health and quality of life by bringing humanity into the oncology and onco-haematology departments which in our opinion must inevitably be combined with scientific progress and improve access to treatment and reduce the inequalities that still exist”.

Humanization of care

Carolyn Smith recalled: «I am very honored to have participated in an event like this organized by bringing the voice of patient associations to institutional settings. Patients must be able to become an active and proactive part of the choices that can change the healthcare of tomorrow. This is why I am here today: I speak for the many people like me who face the disease every day. I am convinced that mine is also included among the psychosocial interventions to improve the health and quality of life of patients. “Dance for oncology” project – she added – because as a dancer I was able to personally verify how much dance helped me both on a physical and psychological level. My training has been a great help to me. This is why I want to share my experience with those who are experiencing the same situation. The positive effects of dancing are indisputable and are good for women and men of all ages and with different oncological paths. A way to help rediscover light-heartedness, energy and new friendships.”

How many sick people are there in Italy?

In our country approximately 395 thousand new cancer diagnoses are estimated for 2023 (Aiom data): there were 390 thousand and 700 in 2022 and 376 thousand in 2020. Almost 4 million Italians currently live with a solid or blood neoplastic disease, in 2005 there were 2 and a half million. The National oncology plan 2023-2027 dictates the guidelines for prevention, treatment and assistance to cancer patients and calls for particular attention to care pathways through an integrated multi-professional approach in order to reduce the gap between the Regions in terms of access to prevention and treatment. The theme of the 2024 edition of World Cancer Day is in fact «Close The Care Gap», in line with the Group's priorities. «2024 will be a very challenging year – noted the deputy Vanessa Cattoi (Lega), coordinator of the parliamentary intergroup – . As an Intergroup we set ourselves several objectives: firstly, to allow cancer patients to participate in a structured way in decision-making processes in the healthcare sector. Secondly, close the proposed law regarding hours of conduct (delays) and work permits in favor of patients: we would then like to be able to schedule in the Commission the proposed law on the figure of the psycho-oncologist, which is very important for people affected by cancer and their families.”

The financial sustainability of care

The financial sustainability necessary to achieve the objectives of the 2022/2027 Legislative Agreement is not lost on the 45 patient associations of the «Health: an asset to be defended, a right to be promoted» Group. In this regard the senator Guido Quintino Liris (FdI) of the Parliamentary Intergroup specified: «La financial maneuver 2024 on the subject of healthcare, it intervenes in particular on the assignment of 3 billion for contract renewals and for reducing waiting lists, and the financing of the Health Fund for over 11 billion euros. Healthcare will also be able to benefit from 136 billion for investments, the highest budget allocation in recent decades.” As regards the participation of Patient associations in a structured way decision-making processes in healthcarethe Group has been preparing its representatives with the since 2023 first specialization course in Italy in collaboration with the University of Pavia, the flagship of the Italian academic world. The course aims to provide the technical knowledge and practical tools necessary to conduct advocacy activities and be an active part in redesigning the healthcare of tomorrow.

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