FOCUS – 40% of breast cancer cases could be prevented through lifestyle choices

ROME, September 23 /ATSH-ANSA/ – If all women adopted healthy lifestyles, 40% of breast cancer cases — still the most widespread cancer among women in incidence and mortality — would not exist, said Riccardo Masetti, founder of “Komen Italia”.

This is a national breast cancer awareness campaign organized by “Komen Italia” in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and, for the first time, with the Ministry of Health.

“Culture heals,” stressed Culture Undersecretary Lucia Borgonzoni. “With this campaign, we hope to reach many women who face difficulties and find it hard to access screening services,” Masetti explains.

Sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits are among the main risk factors for the most common type of cancer affecting Italian women.

The impact of lifestyle: According to scientific studies confirmed by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the risk can be reduced by up to 40% through a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Despite this evidence, prevention is often underestimated.

The importance of early diagnosis: Alongside a healthy lifestyle, preventive examinations (screening) and regular checkups remain essential. Mammography, ultrasound and medical visits enable detection of the disease at an early stage, thus increasing the survival rate. Statistics show that thousands of women have been saved thanks to prevention and that 85% of those diagnosed early are still alive five years after diagnosis.