Mattarella: “Universality of care is an indispensable principle, territorial gaps must be removed”

Rome, 29 October – I Research days of Airc Foundation for cancer research Etswhich will be held from tomorrow, 30 October, until 17 November, represent an extraordinary opportunity and are at the same time a real mobilization to talk about a year of results, present the next challenges for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer and raise funds to support the most deserving oncology research.

The most prestigious event of the initiative is the now traditional ceremony at the Quirinale Palace in the presence of the President of the Republic. And the Head of State himself, during the ceremony celebrating the Research days held yesterday, he uttered words of great importance and meaning. “To ensure that the effectiveness of research results does not encounter obstacles, it is necessary to remove and overcome conditions of territorial divide” the President said, adding that “It is our responsibility to ensure that these gaps do not arise in the fight against cancer. The universality of care and equal rights are indispensable principles of the Republic, as required by the Constitution”.

Then referring to the Research Days, Mattarella stated that they are one “extraordinary engine of initiative, knowledge and social commitment, aimed at making the country progress in the treatment of cancer, and therefore in the quality of life of people“.

“Cancer, a widespread and feared threat, perceived as an inexorable condemnation until a few years ago” the Head of State added again. “So feared that it was not evoked, for a long time, in current language, with its name but rather cited as an incurable disease, an anonymous but definitive evil. It was an important result to have given it back its dimension of illness which can be fought, thanks to medicine, and therefore to the research that drives it. Today a large number of people, over 3 and a half million, live after a diagnosis of cancer” concluded the President. “Many of them can consider themselves cured, many are fighting against the disease with good prospects of success. The conditions of many patients have improved, allowing positive relationships and participation in family life and society“.