Liguria, World Cancer Day: one hundred thousand patients, innovative "tailor-made" organizational paths ready for them

World Cancer Day is celebrated tomorrow, Sunday 4 February. Tumors are the second cause of death in Italy and in the world (Report Aiom – Aiurtum 2023). In Liguria there are one hundred thousand patients treated by the healthcare system for a diagnosis of cancer: for them there are great innovations coming, the result of the most advanced research (molecular profiling of tumors, new "intelligent" drugs, new technologies for diagnosis, surgery and radiotherapy). All these innovations are part of the approach defined as 'Precision Medicine', no longer poorly selective and very toxic drugs, but drugs aimed at specific defects of the tumor cell.

“The innovations also concern the organization of care for cancer patients, continuing on a path that the Liguria Region and Alisa have undertaken for some time – underlines the health councilor Angelo Gratarola – for example by promoting the implementation of the multidisciplinary approach in every healthcare company and oncology network. The work that Alisa's Oncohaematology Diar is carrying out also includes new organizational paths, facilitated access to encourage timely diagnoses and ever greater hospital-territory integration. Particular attention also deserves the patient in follow-up who is no longer undergoing therapy, in fact the reorganization of the paths will make the management of bookings for diagnostic control services foreseen by the guidelines more efficient and effective, facilitating access".

“Alisa's Oncohaematology Diar, also looking at the 2023 National Oncology Plan, is working in various areas that will lead to easier paths for patients and their families - adds Alisa Director Filippo Ansaldi – for example, create for each company an facilitated access center for patients with a suspicion, in order to promptly complete the diagnostic process, reorganize the follow-up of recovered patients by establishing collaborations between the hospital and the territory to be able to carry out even close to check-ups at home, update the treatment paths already defined over the years, which also establish those responsible for taking charge and the optimal place for providing treatment, guaranteeing access to new treatment organizations such as the Moelcular Tumor Board (fundamental for precision medicine) and the second opinion to guarantee quality choices".

“Timeliness is important to give certainty to the person who has a suspicion and to start the correct therapies as soon as possible – underlines Alisa's oncohaematological Diar coordinator Paolo Pronzato – and the creation of an facilitated access path is just one of the actions implemented by Diar which is making its contribution to making the organizational paths increasingly efficient and close to the patient".