Globalizing knowledge is essential in the fight against cancer. In fact, this is the goal of the 34th International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, and Oncologists (Iasgo) Congress, which will be held in Verona from September 9 to 12. More than 500 professionals from around the world will gather at the Palazzo della Gran Guardia to discuss the most recent advances in digestive oncology. Verona was chosen because of its internationally recognized research programs and breakthrough medical and surgical procedures.
The Italian Cancer Registry Association has compiled that, during 2022, new cancer diagnoses in Italy were 391,000. While this number reveals a dark side, namely the profound impact of the pandemic on the reduction of cancer screening, higher survival rates have also been recorded in recent times. According to the University of Verona, thanks to advances in research, cancer is becoming a chronic, more predictable, and more treatable disease.
As a result, research is a key weapon in the fight against cancer and the development of new and innovative treatment strategies. As a result, Iasgo hosts an annual conference where we may debate the most recent advances in oncology and surgery in order to improve care and quality standards. These include the most recent minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic approaches, which are gradually improving postoperative results.
“The understanding of the specific disease in each cancer patient has evoked a paradigm shift in oncology and is opening up new horizons in diagnostics and therapy,” says Alfredo Guglielmi, conference president. “There has been progress in the development of targeted molecular therapies.” Precision medicine seeks to design and optimize the approach for early diagnosis, as well as assess prognosis and personalize therapeutic measures. Furthermore, AI algorithms can already successfully estimate the likelihood of getting malignancies and gastrointestinal illnesses.”
The IASGO association has over 1,700 members from over 90 countries, with over 500 attending the congress to discuss, among other topics, lifestyle, which, as co-chair Michele Milella points out, has a major role in patients’ well-being and health.
“Constant physical activity prevents and improves the occurrence of gastrointestinal, metabolic, and neoplastic diseases,” Milella explains. “Similarly, a proper diet mitigates the side effects of chemotherapy and aids in the recovery process after surgery.” Last but not least, in medicine and health care, where costs are continually rising, sustainability is becoming increasingly crucial.
