colorectal Cancer Screening in Bergamo: A success Story in Prevention
A new social impact report from ATS Bergamo details the impressive results of its colorectal โฃcancer screening program, a vital initiative dedicated to combating one of the most common and serious cancers. Developed in alignment with Lombardy Region guidelines and the 2025 “system rules” (DGR no. XII/3720), the program showcases a commitment to clarity and public โขhealth.
This free screening program, available to Lombardy residents aged 50-74, is a collaborative effort between healthcare institutions, community providers, and localโ pharmacies. the report highlights the programS effectiveness in saving lives and offers citizens a clear understanding of its impact.
Key Achievements (2021-2024):
* Reach: Nearly 390,000 individuals were invited to participate,โค with invitation coverage increasing from 91% in 2021 to 98% in 2024 – exceeding regional targets.
* Participation: 55% of women and 51% โคof men completed โฃthe screening test. โFollow-upโฃ colonoscopy rates after a positive test remained high, at 79-80%, among the best โin Lombardy.
* Early โขDetection: Overโ 108,000 โขtestsโข are performed โannually, โwith a 4-5% positivity rate. Between 2021 and 2023, the program identified 264 carcinomas, over โ1,000 high-riskโ adenomas, and approximately 3,000 low-risk lesions, preventing numerous cancer cases.
* Network: The program leverages a robust network including all โpharmacies in the province and โeight accredited public and private centers: Asst Papa Giovanni XXIII,Asst Bergamo Est e Ovest,Humanitas Gavazzeni,San โFrancesco nursing home,Palazzolo nursing home,San Pietro and San marco Polyclinic,alongside collaboration with general practitioners,community homes,and pharmacies.
Efficient Investment, Significant Return:
The programโข demonstratesโ strong โคfinancial efficiency. The average costโข perโข participant is โฌ11.60,โ and โฌ6.23 โper eligible citizen. In 2024, an investment of โฌ1.05 million funded over 100,000 tests. This investment yields a โคsubstantial return, as early diagnosis can reduce โฃmortality by up to 30% and enable less invasive treatment options.
“This โฃSocial Report is a โtool for transparency and engagement,” โstates Nicoletta Castelli,Health Director of ATS Bergamo. “Sharing these results recognizes theโ dedication of our network and reinforces the importance โof prevention as the cornerstone of healthcare.”
Looking ahead, ATS Bergamo is focused on enhancing โคcommunication with citizens,โฃ utilizing clearer messaging and expanded channels to promote screening participationโข and encourage healthy lifestyles. The agency will continue its commitment to โฃmonitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement, guided by National and Regional Prevention Plans.
