title: [Epidemiology of cancer in Italy: from real data to the need for cancer networks.]
abstract: The Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) and the Italian Association of Cancer Registries (AIRTUM) provide a reliable estimation of the incidence of cancer in Italy. The most outstanding data point to the steadily increasing efficacy of novel therapies, allowing patients to live longer and have a better quality of life, and the number of citizens being diagnosed with cancer - more than three million people, 4.9% of the population. Over the last years, a significant reduction in cancer incidence has been recorded among men with an opposite tendency among women. However, decreased mortality rates are observed in both sexes as a result of primary prevention measures and the promotion of large-scale national screening programs. In this scenario, cancer networks may play a key role. Quality of care could be substantially improved only if regional cancer networks are implemented on the basis of shared pathways, so as to guarantee equity of access in every phase of the disease.
authors: Clinical Cancer Center, Unità Operativa di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS - Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia.
authors: Carmine
authors: C
authors: Pinto
authors: Servizio di Epidemiologia interaziendale, AUSL Reggio Emilia.
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Mangone
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012042:Registries