In Italy, the fight against cancer is becoming more complicated every day. With approximately 1,000 new diagnoses every day, the demand for oncology care is constantly growing, but the national health system is facing significant challenges. Over the past ten years, oncology departments have seen a drastic reduction in beds, going from 5,262 in 2012 to 4,159 in 2022, with a total loss of 1,103 beds. In addition, the decrease in the number of oncologists and nurses is worsening an already critical situation.
Francesco Perrone, president of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (Aiom), stressed the urgency of increasing financial resources for the sector. According to Perrone, it is essential to respond to the growing demand for assistance and improve the quality of life of patients thanks to therapeutic advances:
“Oncology requires more resources to address the ever-increasing demand and to ensure adequate care.” The President highlighted that the health service must also address the enormous problem of waiting lists, linked to a structural shortage of personnel and adequate space.
Another critical aspect concerns the shortage of specialists in the oncology sector. Massimo Di Maio, president-elect of Aiom, highlighted that places in specialization schools are remaining vacant and that the differences between regions are marked. Despite this, Italian oncology demonstrates resilience and the ability to offer excellent care. Saverio Cinieri, president of the Aiom Foundation, highlighted further problems related to the quality of life of patients. In particular:
In Italy, over 200 deaths per day are attributable to modifiable risk factors. With 45% of cancer deaths resulting from preventable causes, it is essential to invest in prevention. Currently, only 6.8% of total healthcare spending is allocated to this area, lower than the European average. Francesco Perrone reiterated the need to bridge this gap to ensure the sustainability of the healthcare system and improve the quality of care provided to cancer patients. The challenge now is to transform these requests into concrete actions to safeguard the health of Italian citizens.
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