The time for prevention is now: two days dedicated to breast health and women’s health for the Insubria community

On 30 October and 13 November, the University of Insubria will hold two days dedicated to breast cancer prevention and women’s health, offering free healthcare services to University staff and students. The sessions will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Family Counselling Centre, Via Ottorino Rossi 9, Varese, as part of the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiatives organised in collaboration with ASST Sette Laghi and the C.A.O.S. Association. The initiative involves Professor Francesca Rovera, Head of the Breast Cancer Research Centre, President of the University of Insubria School of Medicine and Director of the Breast Unit at ASST Sette Laghi.

University of Insubria female staff members under the age of 45 will be able to receive personalised breast cancer prevention consultations and health education, with the option of requesting genetic counselling to assess potential hereditary cancer risks. A Pap test will also be available. Appointments must be booked by calling 392 8255403, Monday to Friday, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The opening date for bookings will be announced shortly.

University of Insubria female students will have free access to HPV vaccination and Pap tests, with no appointment required.

The two days dedicated to the University community are part of the wider #IoNonAspetto programme organised by ASST Sette Laghi across the local area for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout October, open days will be held at Community Health Centres in Varese, Luino, Laveno, Tradate, Sesto Calende, Angera, Arcisate, Gazzada and Gavirate, as well as at the local healthcare facility in Malnate, offering personalised breast cancer prevention consultations, health education and psycho-oncological support. Mindfulness activities and psycho-nutritional workshops organised by the C.A.O.S. Association are also scheduled.

The initiatives are organised with the participation of AMOR, Varese per l’Oncologia, C.A.O.S., ANDOS Varese Committee, LILT and ANDOS Ispra Committee, under the patronage of Europa Donna Italia and FAVO Lombardia.

Participants in the activities dedicated to the Insubria community will also have the opportunity, on a voluntary basis, to contribute to the evaluation of their experience by completing two questionnaires, one at the beginning and one at the end of the programme. The questionnaires have been developed and are managed by the C.A.O.S. Association, in collaboration with Alessandra Grossi, lecturer in Communication Studies at the University of Insubria, and are designed to gather feedback on the quality of the service and participants’ experience.