Overview

• In 2023, over 50,000 tumors and precancerous lesions, including breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, went undetected due to low screening adherence.
• Only 6.9 million of nearly 16 million invited citizens participated in free cancer screenings, reflecting insufficient uptake nationwide.
• Regional disparities are stark, with participation rates ranging from 62% in Veneto to just 4.4% in Calabria, underscoring systemic inequalities.
• Italy remains significantly off-track to meet the EU’s 2025 goal of 90% coverage for organized cancer screenings, despite recent program expansions.
• Experts cite organizational weaknesses, communication gaps, and funding shortfalls as key barriers to improving participation and early detection rates.