Lombardy Launches Pioneering Lung Cancer Screening Program in 2025
Marking a significant step in healthcare, Lombardy is set to launch a groundbreaking lung cancer screening program in 2025, with an initial budget of €664,000. This initiative, spearheaded by Lombardy’s Welfare Assessmentor, Guido Bertolaso, aims to curb lung cancer, which stands as Italy’s third most common form of cancer.
In Lombardy, the alarming numbers show approximately 7,800 new cases annually, with men being predominantly affected. Despite its gravity, lung cancer screening is not yet included in Italy’s national healthcare package, prompting Lombardy’s move to gather compelling data to advocate for its inclusion.
The program, slated to start in the second half of 2025, will initially target Lombardy residents aged 60-64 who are heavy smokers or ex-smokers. The screening will involve low-dose CT scans and referral to the smoke-free center if participants are still smoking. Centrally coordinated, the program will be implemented locally by ATS entities and progressively expanded to include all eligible age groups (55-74) as resources allow.
In preparation, Lombardy will map suitable public and private healthcare providers capable of delivering these services, and a portal will be set up to facilitate citizen access. Bertolaso emphasizes the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles to support individuals and the broader healthcare system.
By 2025, a review will assess citizen participation in the lung and prostate cancer screening programs, as well as the effectiveness of these initiatives. This evaluation will help inform future resource allocation decisions.
With this comprehensive screening program, Lombardy underscores its commitment to preventive healthcare, taking a bold step in the fight against lung cancer.
