Fight against breast cancer, October turns pink
The constant commitment in the fight against cancer, especially breast cancer, finds an important moment in October. For some time now, in fact, this period has been renamed “#ottobrerosa” internationally to draw the attention of the population, especially women but not only, to the theme of prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer.
Today, breast cancer still represents the first neoplastic pathology, by incidence, in women and the Republic of San Marino has always been active in raising awareness and in general, in the fight against this neoplasm, so much so that it has been inaugurated for 30 years now. screening activity which today sees the sending of thousands of letters of invitation to San Marino women between 40 and 74 years of age.
Inaugurated for the first time in 1993, the screening activity is carried out continuously, from Monday to Friday, both in the morning and in the afternoon and is aimed at women from 40 years of age. The mammography screening activity of Radiology is part of the overall, which every year manages over 65,000 examinations including CT, Magnetic Resonance, Traditional Radiology and Ultrasound.
Specifically, the screening activity in 2020 recorded the execution of 4,848 mammograms, while in 2021 (data as of 30 September) 6,275 mammograms were performed, largely recovering the backlog that had accumulated due to the anti-Covid measures.
This is a membership rate of over 80% of the indicated population. This activity made it possible to identify 50 malignant neoplastics in 2020 and 58 in 2021.
It should be emphasized that screening and early diagnosis represent the best way to guarantee a favorable outcome for the treatment of this pathology, which today presents signs of recovery close to 90%. For the return to full capacity, some time is still needed and for these reasons the ISS asks for the collaboration of the entire citizenship and voluntary associations, ensuring that whenever necessary, in case of symptoms, the procedures will be activated for priority or emergency examinations and controls that never failed in the emergency phase.
During the #ottobrerosa there are several initiatives carried out and implemented by the ISS in collaboration with the San Marino Association for Breast Operated Women (ASDOS) and with the support of the institutions. In particular, there will be a “pink walk” on Saturday 16 October from about 2 pm to 4 pm, with arrival on Pianello, while from this evening and for the whole month, the Third Tower “Montale” will be lit up in pink to raise awareness and remember the choral commitment not only of the ISS, but of Institutions, Bodies, Associations and citizenship.
Press release
Social Security Institute