Why is October Prevention Month?

October is universally recognized as the month dedicated to health prevention . It is a time when media attention and health initiatives intensify to raise public awareness of a fundamental concept: early diagnosis can save lives.

With over 50.000 new cases of breast cancer each year in Italy alone , as highlighted by the AIOM (Italian Association of Medical Oncology) in “ Cancer Numbers in Italy ,” the urgency of this awareness is stronger than ever.

But although the heart of this mobilization is the fight against breast cancer , this month represents a broader opportunity to take care of one's well-being.

Pink October: Breast Cancer Awareness

The best-known campaign is undoubtedly Pink October . Its goal is to raise awareness among women about the vital importance of regular checkups, because the most important statistic is also the most encouraging.

AIRC, the Italian Association for Cancer Research , highlights how:

“ Although breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, 5-year survival rates after diagnosis exceed 90% , but this percentage rises to almost 100% for tumors discovered in the early stages , when they are smaller than one centimeter.”

But how can we achieve healthy prevention? Starting, first and foremost, with healthy lifestyles.

Primary prevention

Based on the recommendations of the AIOM Foundation, which are based on the solid scientific evidence collected in the European Code Against Cancer , of which AIOM is one of the main promoters in Italy, it is possible to obtain a complete picture of how to reduce risk factors.

It's estimated that adopting a healthy lifestyle and adhering to screening programs can prevent approximately 40% of all cancers . Here's a detailed look at the most effective practices and their statistical impact.

1. Stop smoking

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of cancer. It causes not only lung cancer, but also cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, and kidneys. Exposure to secondhand smoke is also harmful.

According to scientific evidence, quitting smoking is the most effective prevention practice. It reduces the risk of developing lung cancer by 90% , and after 10-15 years, the risk of other smoking-related cancers (oral cavity, esophagus) is halved.

2. Nutrition, weight and physical activity

Maintaining a healthy body weight through a balanced diet and exercise is a cornerstone of prevention. Excess adipose tissue produces hormones and growth factors that can stimulate tumor development.

• The diet: The ideal model is the Mediterranean diet. Give priority to the consumption of fibre (whole grains, legumes), fruit and vegetables (at least 5 portions a day) and “good” fats (extra virgin olive oil(dried fruit). Limit red meat and avoid processed meats (cured meats, sausages), sugars, and salt.
• Physical activity: The guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week (e.g. brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (e.g. running), limiting the sedentary.

Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your overall cancer risk by 10-20%.

Specifically, a high-fiber diet reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 25% , while being physically active reduces it by a further 20-25% . For breast cancer , maintaining a healthy weight and being active can reduce the risk by 15-20%.

3. Stop alcohol

The AIOM and the WHO agree: any amount of alcohol increases the risk of cancer . Alcohol is classified as a type 1 carcinogen (maximum risk) and is associated with cancers of the mouth, esophagus, liver, colorectal, and breast.

For breast cancer prevention , the best choice is not to drink alcohol.

Furthermore, alcohol is responsible for approximately 4% of all cancer diagnoses in Europe. Even just one drink a day increases the risk of breast cancer by 5-10%.

4. Protection from the sun's rays

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is the main cause of skin cancer. It's essential to avoid the hottest hours of the day (11am-16pm), always use a high-level sunscreen (SPF 30 or 50+), and avoid tanning beds , which are classified as carcinogenic.

Secondary prevention: Early diagnosis

Prevention also involves early diagnosis , which dramatically increases the chances of survival, and vaccinations.

It is essential to participate in breast , colorectal and cervical screening programs and to adhere to the vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV).

Screening can reduce mortality from cervical cancer by up to 80% and from breast cancer by 20-30% . Removing precancerous polyps during a colonoscopy reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancer by more than 70%.

Secondary prevention, or early diagnosis, is based on instrumental tests such as mammography and breast ultrasound.

Mammography is recommended every two years for women between the ages of 50 and 69, but specialists often recommend starting screenings as early as age 40.

Concrete initiatives

Throughout the month of October, as confirmed by the National Screening Observatory , hospitals, associations such as LILT (Italian League for the Fight against Cancer) and the local health authorities offer breast examinations, mammograms and ultrasounds free of charge or at discounted rates.

For more information, please contact your local health authority or the associations that are also taking to the streets these days to promote the initiative and raise awareness of the importance of prevention.

Furthermore, as AVIS emphasizes , Pink October is also a time to remember the importance of supporting scientific research , which has allowed us to achieve current survival rates and develop increasingly targeted and less invasive treatments. This vital commitment allows thousands of people to win the fight against cancer.

Not just pink: the other faces of prevention in October

While pink dominates the scene, October also shines a spotlight on other crucial, often overlooked aspects of health.

The view at the centre of attention

For years, October has also been " Sight Awareness Month ." According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), approximately 80% of blindness and low vision cases worldwide are preventable or curable with timely diagnosis.

It is important to understand that there are silent pathologies that can be detected in time with routine checks.

Diseases such as glaucoma (known as “the silent thief of sight”) or macular degeneration can progress for years without causing obvious symptoms, causing irreversible damage.

A simple eye exam can detect these conditions early. For this reason, associations and optical chains are promoting free eye, intraocular pressure, and fundus exams during this time.

World Mental Health Day

October 10th marks World Mental Health Day , an event promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO). The statistics are shocking: the WHO estimates that one in four people will experience a mental health disorder during their lifetime.

The goal of the day is to combat the stigma that still surrounds psychological disorders . Prevention, in this context, means creating a culture in which seeking help from a psychologist or psychotherapist is seen as an act of strength and self-care , not a weakness.

We promote a concept of health that is not merely the absence of physical disease, but complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

October, therefore, is a month that aims to remind us how important it is to develop a concrete awareness of prevention and psychophysical well-being.

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