from Vera Martinella
From the congress of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (Aiom) comes the photography of services in our country. The weight of travel affects several fronts, including the financial one. Problems especially for the elderly and sick in the South
Better at home than in the hospital. Any sick person, having a choice, would like to be able to take care of himself at home or at least as close as possible to where he resides. In Italy, however, less than 70% of oncologies guarantee it to patients with cancer. A big problem for people and also for the health system because home services, preferred by patients and family members, are less expensive than hospitalization. A problem that is also big in numbers, given that every day more than a thousand Italians discover that they have a neoplasm e over 3.5 million compatriots live after a cancer diagnosis. de-hospitalizing cancer care and treatment has a positive psychological impact on the patient, who feels cared for and safe at home in a moment of great difficulty.
One third of patients could be followed up at home To put the spotlight on the problem are the experts ofItalian Association of Medical Oncology (Aiom) at the opening of the annual congress that began on 1 October in Rome, where the data from the Italian Oncology Service Charter were illustrated. White Paper 2022, from which it emerges that in our country 323 oncologies are active, 88% with day hospital, 65% with outpatient clinic, 58% with ordinary hospitalization ward. Only 68.7% able to activate home care In Italy, with differences along the Peninsula: in the North, care at home is in fact activated by 75% of the structures compared to 58% in the South. At least 30% of cancer patients could be followed, for a significant part of the treatment path, in the area where it resides with evident positive effects in terms of quality of life and social costs, as well as human costs – underlines Saverio Cinieri, president of Aiom -. Bringing therapies closer to people also facilitates accessibility, impacts life expectancy and promotes savings for patients, too often impoverished after cancer diagnosis.
The weight of the displacements affects several fronts There are 377 thousand new cases of cancer annually in our country and strengthening the network of home care, with particular attention to palliative treatments active in the most advanced stages of the disease, a goal that specialists have been aiming for for some time. The territorial management of cancer patients is one of the issues that will become most important in the future, also in consideration of the an increasing number of patients who become chronic the disease and who can use oral or subcutaneous cancer treatments which, by themselves, do not require the need for hospital administration. Too many patients still travel hundreds of kilometers in search of the “best treatment” – recalls Massimo Di Maio, Aiom national secretary -. This involves psychological, social, family, work and economic hardships. They affect the distance between home and the place where care is received and the transport costs to be incurred, not only in the extreme cases of health migration from South to North. Problems can arise in reaching specialist centers in large cities from the province.
Economic difficulties especially for the elderly and sick in the South That getting cancer has a very high economic cost for patients and families, even in Italy, has now been demonstrated by various surveys. Inequalities are growing and those who are poorer have less chance of healing. Experts call it financial toxicity. The economic difficulties caused by a neoplasm are an increasingly present phenomenon also in our country – explains Francesco Perrone, Aiom president-elect -. In the United States, this condition is explained above all by the fact that cancer therapies cost a lot and the overseas health system, based on private insurance, only partially reimburses them. The universalistic system of the Italian health system should constitute a barrier against this risk, in reality it is no longer the case. In an analysis of 16 trials conducted between 1999 and 2015, in which 3,760 patients from our country with lung, breast or ovarian cancer took part, we showed that 22.5% had “financial toxicity” and a 20% higher risk of death in the following months and years than for sick people without financial problems. Financial difficulties compromise the quality of life and the benefits that can be obtained with anticancer drugs: patients living in the South have to face more economic problems than sick people in the North. In addition, financial toxicity mainly affects people under 65 – continues Perrone -: cancer and treatments reduce professional capacity and income. If these citizens are supported and reintegrated into the world of work, they return to constitute a productive component of the country. This is why it is important to identify the causes of individual financial default: only in this way can we ask the institutions to take action to remove them.
Appeal to the institutions and the new government The photograph of the state of oncology in our country also sees important progress compared to the past. Psychological support services are present in almost 90% of the centers (87.3%). 95% have pathological anatomy, 81% a reference clinical nutrition, 70% a molecular biology laboratory. The steps forward in the definition of diagnostic-therapeutic and assistance pathways (PDTA), essential for guaranteeing multidisciplinary assistance, are significant. Oncologists aim to raise awareness among institutions, which can implement change policies to invest more in the territory and in home care, also by creating an integration between oncology and family medicine. Oncology is a cornerstone of the National Health Service, but must be supported with structural measures – says Cinieri -. We ask the Government, which will take office in the coming weeks, and the new Minister of Health to include in the agenda, among the first objectives to be achieved, a real strengthening of oncology, with a 360-degree attention, from home care to clinical research. Simultaneous care groups must also be implemented, because 36% of the centers still lack them – concludes Di Maio -. An early integration of support interventions into the care pathway, with a view to simultaneous care, has a positive impact on the quality and quantity of the patient’s life and on the expected results with the therapies.
little home assistance and many expenses- Corriere.it
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer