MILAN (ITALPRESS) – On the occasion of pink October, the #PronteAPrevenire campaign – promoted by Novartis, in collaboration with ANDOS Nazionale, Europa Donna Italia, Fondazione IncontraDonna e Salute Donna ODV, to provide tools and information useful to the conscious management of the risk of relapse – focuses on the importance of well-being and physical exercise for women with localized breast cancer therapy, together with adequate treatment. The testimonials shared by the online community “It’s life time” of Novartis showed a widespread need for 360-degree wellness, inspiring a new phase of the project. The community that counts between the website, Facebook and Instagram channels about 100,000 women interested in breast cancer, has shown particular interest in the following themes: family, self-care and sport, where the latter for more than 70% of respondents was an ally in restoring strength and energy. Preferred activities include fast walking (43%), yoga or meditation (36%) and aerobic dance or gymnastics (21%). It was born under the #PronteAPrevenire campaign a new section within www.etempodivita.it dedicated to wellness and sport, with insights, videos and interviews with experts. This new section is complemented by the already established areas of the portal, dedicated to providing detailed information on breast cancer, advice and concrete tools that focus on the importance for patients to transform awareness into a capacity to proactively manage the treatment path, to be ready to discuss effectively with the doctor its health status. To date, breast cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer in women in Italy, with about 53.686 new diagnoses estimated in 2024. Although net survival at 5 years of diagnosis is 88%, the main challenge that remains is the risk management of relapse over time, as, while having a good initial prognosis, homonosensitive breast cancers may recur at a distance of many years, with a risk that significantly increases with the stage of the disease. In this context, preventing a possible return of the tumor is crucial and new therapeutic options in addition to hormonal therapy, are an important tool for long-term monitoring of the pathology, whose effectiveness is closely linked to adherence to the treatment path. In this context, physical activity is no longer considered a good habit, but an additional pillar and instrument of tertiary prevention, in support of therapy, with a measurable and scientifically proven impact: an active lifestyle after diagnosis can lower the risk of mortality in breast cancer by 50-53% compared to a sedentary lifestyle; exercise is the most effective non-pharmacological intervention to manage fatigue (chronic fatigue). In addition, a Phase 3 study showed that an exercise program supervised by experts can reduce joint pain by 29%, one of the most debilitating side effects of today’s therapies.“It is essential to bring a message of awareness to women in a context of strength and positivity – says Dr. Nicla La Verde, Director of the complex structure of Oncology at the Luigi Sacco Hospital in Milan -. In Italy, around 54,000 new breast cancer diagnoses were estimated in 2024. It is crucial to promote information and awareness about prevention strategies of a possible risk of recurrence, based on solid scientific evidence and also show the benefits that a proper lifestyle and physical activity can lead to mind and body.” “As an association, we touch every day the need for information and support from women. Knowledge is a fundamental starting point for dealing with the disease – says Rosanna D’Antona, President of Europa Donna Italia – Initiatives like this are precious because they inform and make women feel less sun, part of a wider network of support. In addition, they transmit a fundamental message: prevention comes into play before during and even after the disease, and involves many aspects of life.” “The awareness that well-being is an essential part of not only physical but also psychological care – says Antonella Campana, President of the IncontraDonna Foundation – led us to develop projects that demonstrate how recovery programs that include physical activity and psychological support can reduce up to 43% perceived stress, offering a concrete model of global well-being.” “ Our commitment alongside women with breast cancer is enriched by a new, important chapter with the evolution of the #PronteAPrevenire campaign. Listening to the voices of the community, we have confirmed the importance of an approach that goes beyond therapy, integrating well-being and physical activity as fundamental pillars of tertiary prevention. This initiative reflects our vision of a medicine that accompanies the person at 360 degrees, providing not only innovative treatments but also concrete tools based on the scientific evidence to improve the quality of life and actively manage the post-diagnosis path”, notes Paola Coco, Medical Affairs Head of Novartis Italy. The commitment of Novartis during the pink October, in addition to carrying out the campaign #PronteAPrevenire, has also been realized with the support – with the non-conditional contribution – of the meeting ‘I will take care of me. A new life after a senò tumor of Modern Woman, on the importance of relapse prevention and the role of physical activity as one of the fundamental contributions of psychophysical well-being of patients.
– photo Italpress –
(ITALPRESS).
