Castiglione Launches Free Breast Cancer Screening for Women Aged 40-50

Tonight at 8:30 PM, in the council chamber of Palazzo Gonzaga in Castiglione, the Associazione Oncologica dell’Alto Mantovano will be introduced. The project, promoted by the ASL itself, with the sponsorship of the Comune di Castiglione, is called “Obiettivo Sereno” (“Serene Goal”).

The association has launched an important early diagnosis project for breast cancer targeting women between the ages of 40 and 50, to complement the regional screening program aimed at women aged 59 to 79.

The project targets all women in the district, a little over 4,000, who will receive a regular invitation. The service will commence on January 1st and will be free of charge.

Activities and procedures of the project

Data will be collected on demographic forms, and mammograms will be performed in six projections, along with a clinical breast examination and, if necessary, an ultrasound. If positive, an immediate cytological biopsy will be undertaken, with results available within 48-72 hours.

If the results are negative, a biennial follow-up will be scheduled. In case of a positive result, a clinical report will be provided to the primary care physician, with an appointment for possible surgical intervention (within a maximum of 5 days), followed by the definitive therapeutic plan: oncology consultation and/or radiotherapy.

This service involves a radiologist specialized in mammography, a surgeon, an oncologist, and a professional operator responsible for data entry and updates.

Importance and statistics on breast cancer

Breast cancer is a major public health issue: it accounts for 28% of all cancers. Each year in Italy, approximately 31,000 women are affected, with around 11,000 annual deaths.

One woman in 66 between the ages of 40 and 50 is at risk of developing breast cancer. Only 5% of cases occur in women under 30.

It is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women aged 35 to 55. Prevention plays an important role.

Prevention and diagnostic strategy

Primary prevention, which involves eliminating causes of the disease, is not possible as the causes are unknown. The risk factors often discussed (family history, diet, hormone therapies, reproductive characteristics) are simply phenomena associated more frequently with cancer development, but they are not causes.

Equally targeted is secondary prevention, namely early diagnosis, which saves 71% of patients and allows for conservative surgery.

The diagnostic approach for these tumors is primarily mammographic. The diagnostic-preventive strategy recommended by the Società di senologia (Society of Senology) and the American Cancer Society includes a screening schedule based on the woman’s age:

• Between 40 and 50 years, mammography every 2 years;
• After 50 years, mammography annually.