On 26 January 2023, the National Oncology Plan 2023–2027 was adopted following the agreement reached during the State–Regions Conference. The plan aligns with the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and sets out various objectives and strategic guidelines to be implemented by the Italian regions and autonomous provinces. One of the key goals of the plan is the completion of the National Cancer Registry and the Regional Cancer Registry Network. These cancer registries not only facilitate monitoring and surveillance of oncological diseases but also provide valuable information for healthcare planning, evaluating the effectiveness of preventive measures, and assessing access, quality, and appropriateness of care.
In terms of primary prevention, the focus is on promoting healthy lifestyles within various living environments, ranging from schools to workplaces. Special attention is given to combating smoking, reducing harmful alcohol consumption, promoting physical activity, and encouraging healthy eating habits.
Adopting the One Health approach, the plan aims to enhance sustainable mobility, improve air quality, and implement interventions to prevent and reduce harmful environmental (indoor and outdoor) and anthropogenic exposures that adversely affect health.
Another crucial aspect involves strengthening efforts to increase vaccination coverage against infectious agents known to cause cancer, such as the papillomavirus and hepatitis B virus.
Regarding secondary prevention, the COVID-19 health emergency has led to a decrease in organized screening programs. Therefore, the National Oncology Plan emphasizes the need to reinforce these programs, making use of the new Community Health Centres outlined in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and regulated by Ministerial Decree 2022/77. The plan aims to expand the age groups targeted for mammography and colorectal screening and promote early identification of individuals at family-hereditary risk through dedicated clinical pathways. Additionally, alongside health promotion and prevention activities, the plan supports increasingly home-based care integrated with hospital and community services. This integration is achieved through the rationalization of care processes and the use of multiprofessional teams that can provide remote services. The plan emphasizes the importance of clinical pathways organized according to the (hospital) Hub & Spoke model to ensure comprehensive patient care at all stages. It is essential to implement these pathways across all regions within the Oncology Networks, ensuring equitable access to care and involving patient associations.
The National Oncology Plan also places great emphasis on research advancements related to personalized prevention and early cancer detection. This includes exploring omics research, diagnostic imaging technologies, and therapeutic technologies. The document also highlights the need for digital transition, planning the implementation of various telemedicine services in home settings. Technological modernization in oncology is given special attention, not only focusing on the renewal of diagnostic equipment but also ensuring the availability of well-trained medical specialists and non-medical healthcare professionals. The development of platforms for recording, integrating, and analyzing clinical, genomic, imaging, and treatment data to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic processes is also encouraged.
Recognizing the importance of training and communication, the plan proposes interventions to provide training on care models, technological innovations, and the essential aspects of humanization and respect for individuals. Finally, the National Oncology Plan underscores the significance of raising awareness and engaging the general population through information campaigns aimed at empowering citizens and enhancing health literacy concerning prevention, research, and oncology care.