Cancer Prevention and Health Promotion

At Fondazione Poliambulanza, prevention means caring for people’s health at every stage of life.

Prevention is an integral part of the activities of Fondazione Poliambulanza and its Cancer Centre and goes beyond the early detection of cancer. It includes promoting healthy lifestyles, participating in screening programs, identifying people at increased risk of cancer, preventing infections associated with certain cancers, and protecting health both during and after cancer treatment.

The aim is to provide interventions based on the best available scientific evidence, tailored to each person’s individual characteristics and needs and, when necessary, integrated into appropriate diagnostic and care pathways.

Screening and Early Detection

Fondazione Poliambulanza participates in organized cancer screening programs, working in close and ongoing collaboration with the regional healthcare system and ATS Brescia.

In accordance with regional programs and eligibility criteria, these activities focus on the prevention and early detection of the main cancers for which organized screening programs are available, including:

• breast cancer;
• cervical cancer;
• colorectal cancer;
• prostate cancer;
• lung cancer in people at high risk, in accordance with regional programs currently being implemented.

When a screening test identifies a potential abnormality, the aim is not simply to perform the test, but to ensure continuity of care by facilitating access to any necessary further diagnostic investigations and subsequent care.

Screening, early detection, and surveillance of people at increased risk are distinct pathways, offered according to age, personal and family history, and clinical indications.

Cancer Genetics and People at High Risk

Some people may have a higher risk of developing cancer than the general population due to their personal or family history.

In these cases, Fondazione Poliambulanza offers appropriate cancer genetic assessment pathways, which may include an evaluation of personal and family history, specialist genetic counselling and, when indicated, specific genetic testing.

The aim is to identify individuals who may genuinely benefit from personalized surveillance and, together with the relevant specialists, determine the most appropriate strategies to reduce their risk.

Vaccination and Infection Prevention

Some infections can contribute to the development of certain cancers. For this reason, cancer prevention also includes the assessment of infection risk and vaccination status.

Particular attention is given, for example, to the prevention of HPV-related diseases, the prevention and management of hepatitis B and C, and, in appropriate clinical settings, other infections associated with an increased risk of cancer.

When a vaccination or specific preventive intervention is not provided directly at Fondazione Poliambulanza, patients can be referred to the appropriate vaccination centre or community-based healthcare service.

Healthy Lifestyles and Health Promotion

A key aspect of prevention involves lifestyle choices and behaviours that can help protect and improve health.

Fondazione Poliambulanza promotes information, counselling, and awareness-raising initiatives focusing in particular on:

• a balanced diet and nutritional health;
• physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour;
• prevention and treatment of tobacco use;
• responsible alcohol consumption;
• protection from excessive or inappropriate sun exposure;
• maintaining a healthy weight and body composition;
• psychological well-being and the management of distress.

Particular attention is given to preventing tobacco use and addressing nicotine dependence, through information, counselling, and referral to dedicated smoking cessation programs.

Psychological Well-being and Psycho-Oncology

Psychological health is an integral part of a person’s overall health and well-being.

Cancer care pathways may include an assessment of psychological needs, with access to individual, family, or group support, as well as dedicated psycho-oncology services.

Support is available not only to patients but also to their families and caregivers, and may address issues such as anxiety, depression, body image, sexuality, fertility, returning to everyday life and work, and coping with the emotional impact of cancer.

Prevention Continues After Treatment

Taking care of one’s health remains important even after cancer treatment has been completed.

Rehabilitation and survivorship care pathways aim to prevent or reduce the long-term effects of treatment, support the recovery of independence, and help patients return to family, social, and working life.

Depending on individual needs, these pathways may address areas such as physical activity and functional recovery, nutrition, cardiovascular and metabolic risk, bone health, pain, lymphedema, neuropathy, psychological well-being, sexuality, fertility, and infection prevention.

The nurse case manager can serve as a key point of contact, helping patients navigate their care pathway, identify emerging needs at an early stage, and facilitate coordination between the patient, their family, the oncology team, and community-based services.

Prevention Accessible to Everyone

Opportunities to take care of one’s health can also be affected by economic, social, family, linguistic, cultural, housing, or digital barriers.

For this reason, Fondazione Poliambulanza pays particular attention to people experiencing vulnerability or at risk of being excluded from prevention pathways, facilitating access, when necessary, to health and social care services and other community-based resources.

The aim is to reduce barriers that may prevent people from participating in screening programs, completing further diagnostic investigations, or continuing their follow-up care appropriately.

Prevention Also Means Appropriateness

Prevention does not mean undergoing as many tests as possible.

Fondazione Poliambulanza promotes evidence-based prevention, avoiding unvalidated tests, examinations, or “cancer check-ups” when they have not been shown to provide a genuine benefit.

Every preventive intervention should be clinically appropriate and evidence-based and, above all, should be linked to a clearly defined care pathway in the event of a positive or uncertain result.

People’s Health and Environmental Health

Health promotion also involves protecting and caring for the environment.

From a One Health perspective, Fondazione Poliambulanza integrates prevention and sustainability through initiatives aimed at reducing waste and emissions, promoting the responsible use of resources, safeguarding air and water quality, ensuring proper waste management, and creating environments that support and promote health.

Information and Awareness

Effective prevention also begins with reliable information.

Fondazione Poliambulanza is committed to providing the public with clear, understandable, up-to-date, and evidence-based information, helping people understand their individual risk factors, the prevention opportunities available to them, and the behaviours that can help protect their health.

Prevention therefore means not only detecting disease at an early stage, but also creating the conditions that enable every person to take care of their health in the most informed, appropriate, and continuous way possible.