Urological cancers: 5,500 'hereditary' cases every year in Italy

More than 5,500 hereditary urological cancers occur in our country every year. They account for about 6/7% of all cases of prostate, kidney and bladder cancer. For these men and women, who have genetic variants that increase the risk of cancer, it is necessary to tailor not only therapies but also prevention. This is what the Italian Society of Uro-Oncology (SIUrO) says on the occasion of World Cancer Day, which will be celebrated on 4 February across the planet. The claim of the international event this year is #UnitedByUnique.

"According to international health institutions, up to 50 per cent of all cancers are preventable," emphasises Rolando Maria D'Angelillo, SIUrO president. Primary prevention is also fundamental in uro-oncology. It can intervene on modifiable factors such as smoking, daily diet, severe excess weight or sedentariness. Cigarettes alone are responsible for 50 per cent of all new cases of bladder cancer. Early diagnosis is also important and should be encouraged to reduce mortality and increase the chances of cure. At present, however, there is no organised screening for prostate cancer. However, examinations such as digital rectal examination, PSA test or transrectal prostate ultrasound are available and can be prescribed in individuals at risk or with certain symptoms'.

"Other special watchdogs are all those patients who possess hereditary-family mutations,' continues Giovanni Pappagallo, vice-president SIUrO. 'Genetic screening tests help to identify individual predisposition to developing certain forms of cancer that are often very aggressive. The tests must therefore be prescribed to family members of patients with the disease and must be guaranteed throughout the country. Very dangerous is the BRCA2 mutation, which does not only affect breast cancer. It increases the risk of prostate neoplasia by a factor of 3 compared to the rest of the population. Familiarity also affects testicular cancer, which every year registers more than 2,000 cases in Italy. It is a 'juvenile' oncological pathology and is the most frequent form of cancer in males under 50. As prevention we recommend self-examination from puberty onwards. For those who have had first-degree relatives affected by the disease, an annual specialist urological examination is always indicated'.

'Once again this year we have decided, as a Scientific Society, to join the World Cancer Day,' D'Angelillo concludes. 'Personalised treatment, care and prevention are indispensable for an efficient fight against genito-urinary cancers. They are a very heterogeneous group of diseases that in total affect 1 million people in our country. They do not only affect men over 65 because they also affect adolescents, young adults and women of all age groups. The population must be made aware of certain virtuous behaviours that can avoid serious consequences. Finally, the treatment of neoplasms must always be multidisciplinary and entrusted to teams composed of different professional figures. Also through collaboration between the different specialists involved in the management of the patient, it is possible to favour more personalised treatments'.