Good news about screening

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The recent publication of the 2023-2024 "Passi" data from the Italian National Institute of Health marks a significant step forward in cancer prevention in Italy. After the slowdown caused by the pandemic, cancer screening is showing signs of recovery, with mammography rates exceeding pre-Covid levels. However, significant regional and social inequalities persist that require attention. In the two-year period 2023-2024, 75 percent of women between the ages of 50 and 69 had a preventive mammogram, exceeding pre-pandemic levels . Cervical screening also reached 78 percent coverage among women aged 25-64. Colorectal screening, on the other hand, stands at 47 percent among the target population aged 50-69. Despite this progress, significant disparities remain between the North and the South . Mammography screening coverage is 86 percent in the North, 80 percent in Central Italy, and only 62 percent in the South. For colorectal screening, the percentages are 62 percent, 55 percent, and 30 percent, respectively.

Cervical screening coverage is 84 percent in the North and Center, but only 69 percent in the South. However, inequalities are not limited to regional data, but are also reflected in socioeconomic terms: women with more education or economic resources, who are Italian and married or cohabiting, have higher rates of participation. Screening organized by local health authorities (ASLs) remains crucial for reducing these inequalities, offering more equitable access to prevention . The data therefore highlight a resurgence in cancer screening in Italy, finally returning to pre-pandemic levels, but underscore the need for further targeted interventions to address both regional and social inequalities. Strengthening organized screening programs and promoting awareness campaigns are essential steps to ensure uniform access to prevention across the country , which is crucial for conditions such as cancer.

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