On 29 October, from 9.30 to 16.30, the ASP mobile unit will be present at the La Maddalena nursing home for free screening for women aged 50 to 69. Breast cancer represents one of the most widespread oncological pathologies among women, with a significant impact on the physical and psychological health of patients. Prevention, timely treatment and psychophysical well-being are crucial elements in managing the disease. On the occasion of the pink month, the Casa di Cura La Maddalena, in Palermo, organized a meeting between a multidisciplinary team of breast cancer specialists and patients still undergoing treatment or already cured.
“An open space where women shared their experiences, talking together with doctors, and received useful information on the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of the disease,” said health director Francesco Cascio. “The age of patients with breast cancer is decreasing to around 35 years – said Debora Castrogiovanni, clinical representative of diagnostic breast cancer at the Casa di Cura La Maddalena – so it is important to start with the first ultrasound visits already around the age of 25 years. Early diagnosis, thanks to prevention, remains the first line of defense. Among the increasing clinical signs, breast specialists find focal hollowing of the skin profile which becomes apparent when raising the arms. To identify small nodules, self-examination is also important and should be done outside the menstrual period. And then, it is necessary to observe one’s body – concluded Castrogiovanni – because the breasts are affected by the state of mind and what we carry inside us”.
The first step to start from, therefore, is certainly to carry out prevention from the age of 25 with only the ultrasound investigation which will be supported by the mammographic investigation starting from the age of 40. “There are patients who do not have any disorder – said Vivì Capizzi, breast surgeon from La Maddalena – but from the screening we notice the presence of the tumor. From the age of 40 it is important to have a mammogram, but it is not enough to limit yourself to this exam. It is essential for an early diagnosis to also carry out ultrasound and clinical examination because the manifestations of breast cancer are heterogeneous”.
From the moment a woman discovers she has breast cancer, from the beginning and especially during the treatment period, psychological support is fundamental. “It is also important to tell clearly and simply what is happening – said Angela Moscato, psycho-oncologist at La Maddalena”. For psychophysical well-being, rehabilitation and post-operative physiotherapy are also important, above all, “also for the purposes of radiotherapy”, said radiotherapist Patrizia Morvillo. “Start with small movements for the first five weeks and then move on to muscle strengthening with exercises with elastic bands or small weights to recover the correct functionality of the limb,” explained physiotherapist Mary Fieri.
During the meeting, the patients told their story and the conflicting emotions they experienced during the period of the disease: “I never stopped dressing in colour, nor doing sports during chemotherapy. Sport and the passion for hiking saved my life,” said a young woman who recovered from cancer. There are those who have experienced difficult moments, of discouragement and great fear: “I couldn’t find a balance – said another patient – the first few days I cried and vomited from fear”.
