"Although the health emergency caused by the spread of COVID-19 has catalyzed everyone's attention in recent months, we must not forget that there are other diseases that are no less dangerous for life: breast cancer for example. Early diagnosis of the disease is the first strategy for having a better chance of recovery. In Italy, over 53.500 women fall ill every year. In Taranto, in particular, very relevant data are recorded: therefore mammographic screening and breast diagnostic activities must resume as soon as possible at full capacity throughout the territory and especially in the capital city". To launch the alarm on delays in the resumption of activities aimed at early detection of breast cancer is, in a note, the Regional Councilor of the Democratic Party Michael Mazzarano, which invites you to start again with the screening so that you don't lose any more precious time.
"In fact, a prolonged interval between mammography, diagnostic confirmation and the initiation of therapies risks causing a worsening of the clinical picture and therefore of the prognosis - continues the councilor - therefore screening, as part of the Essential Assistance Levels, must be reactivated promptly and homogeneously throughout the region.
"The regional council is already working to restore mammography screening everywhere; the regular activity of the clinical breast diagnostic centers must be restarted by the summer; guaranteeing the safety of women and health workers, also by reorganizing activities with adequate temporal and spatial distances; establish priorities based on individual risk levels and the already sent letter of invitation; inform women with an adequate communication campaign.
"In the last few years - Mazzarano continues - at Taranto Women's Center, important and high-quality results have been achieved, thanks to the work of radiologists and doctors. Also with the activation of the Breast Unit from 2018, The numbers of interventions have gradually increased, matching the performance of the accredited private individual and slowing down the mobility towards other provinces and other regions ".
“The growth of local medicine must push to root the Women's Centers in our province's health centers, such as Massafra e Grottaglie, allowing a more intense programming of the screening activities and therefore their extension to a greater number of women. Therefore, this important and strategic service should be valorized for the epidemiological peculiarities of our territory, avoiding reducing its strength - Mazzarano concludes - but rather working on greater empowerment and greater organizational autonomy ". Concludes the note.
