In Lombardy, 18.3% of over 14s smoke, 31.3% are overweight, 10.5% are obese, 9.9% consume alcohol in excessive quantities, 22.6% are totally sedentary. Alarming data responsible for the onset of numerous diseases, primarily cardiovascular and oncological ones. “Every year 60 thousand citizens of Lombardy are affected by cancer, 40% of which could be avoided by correcting incorrect lifestyles. Prevention, therefore, is confirmed as the watchword, but prevention that must be personalized and active”, said today Gianluca Vago, director of the Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology of the State University of Milan and president of the Cnao Foundation (National Center for Oncology Hadrontherapy), during a national conference promoted by the Lombardy Region at Pirellone. “Even in our region, as in the rest of the country – he specified – the most common cancers are breast (10,000 cases per year), lung (7,600) and colorectal (7,100)”.
“On this occasion we want to focus attention on the efforts that all research is making to recognize the presence of a neoplasm as early as possible, but even more so to identify risk markers even before the tumor develops”, highlighted Vago. “The tumor takes years to develop – recalled Luca Quagliata, molecular biotechnologist at the University of Heidelberg in Germany – The DNA of each of us receives thousands of daily lesions which are however repaired by tumor suppressor genes. If these genes stop working, they repair the damage more and somatic (acquired) mutations are formed which represent an indicator of the inactivity of the genes and, therefore, of the prodromal condition of the development of solid tumors. It is genomic instability”. This, “chronic inflammation, the imbalance of the immune system and bacterial flora constitute the prodromal factors that can lead to cancer over time”.
One of the most studied models and in which the greatest results have been achieved in this sense – it emerged from the meeting – is that of colorectal tumors. Andrea Sartore-Bianchi, Niguarda hospital and university of Milan, brought years of experience and work to Niguarda, underlining how the use of innovative methods, in particular the so-called liquid biopsy, is providing us with investigation tools that are transforming the diagnostic and monitoring approach to the disease.
“One of the most interesting scenarios for personalized prevention is represented by what is called Cancer Driver Interception – reported Giuseppe Mucci, president of the Bioscience Foundation – As for cardiovascular diseases we can control blood pressure and cholesterol levels, risk factors really important, today we can verify and monitor the mutations that lead to the onset of tumors. It is an approach potentially capable of 'intercepting' the natural history of tumor progression even before the onset of the disease; an approach which naturally requires confirmation and validation studies on large population data, but which is increasingly gaining ground in the oncology field”.
In the fight against cancer in recent years “significant progress has been recorded – remarked Giuseppe Curigliano, professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Milan and director of the Development Division of new drugs for innovative therapies at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) – thanks to the new therapies that have brought extraordinary results in many tumors, in particular in breast cancer. Having identified genetic mutations such as Her2 and Brca has allowed us to intervene effectively with increasingly specific therapies, even in the most advanced stages of the disease.”
Research in this field is “really relevant” and “Lombardy – Curigliano specified – represents excellence with cutting-edge research groups in the world. Today in our country 88% of women with this pathology are alive at 5 years, truly significant percentages, but we must insist on prevention, in particular on adherence to screening. In Lombardy, 62% of the women called respond to this fundamental test for early diagnosis, a higher figure than the national average, but it can be do much better. Active prevention and early diagnosis can make the difference. A concrete way also to guarantee the sustainability of the entire healthcare system.”
“Prevention must also be extended to those who have already received a diagnosis of breast cancer – declared Anna Maria Mancuso of Salute Donna and Adele Patrini of Europa Donna Italia – Today in Italy over 830 thousand women live with a diagnosis of cancer. The majority of whom have an excellent quality of life, but too many former patients still start smoking again, consuming alcohol excessively, and not carrying out any physical activity. As patient associations we are committed to raising awareness on these issues, also reiterating the fundamental role of psycho-oncological rehabilitation, the return to a normal working and emotional life, with the aim of avoiding the onset of relapses. We must insist a lot on raising awareness among former patients to avoid the onset of relapses”.
At the conference, where the governor Attilio Fontana brought greetings, Gabriella Pravettoni, professor of cognitive and decision-making psychology at the University of Milan, also spoke, highlighting the importance and necessity of interventions useful for changing lifestyles .
#Tumors #thousand #diagnoses #year #Lombardy #conference #research #prevention
