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 services to University staff. The appointments will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Family Counselling Centre in Via Ottorino Rossi 9, Varese, as part of the 2026 Pink October initiatives, in collaboration with ASST Sette Laghi and the C.A.O.S. Association. The activities involve Professor Francesca Rovera, Head of the Breast Research Centre, President of the School of Medicine at the University of Insubria and Director of the Breast Unit at ASST Sette Laghi.

On 30 October and 13 November, University of Insubria female employees under the age of 45 will be able to attend personalised breast cancer prevention and health education appointments at the Family Counselling Centre in Via Ottorino Rossi 9, Varese, Biffi Building.

Appointments will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and must be booked in advance by calling 392 8255403, available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. It will also be possible to request genetic counselling to assess any family-related risk factors for breast cancer.

On 29 October and 12 November, at the same location, Pap tests will be available free of charge from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, without an appointment, for University of Insubria female students and employees. Female students will also be able to receive the HPV vaccination, free of charge and without an appointment. No breast examinations will be carried out on these two dates.

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

The initiatives are supported by AMOR, Varese per l’Oncologia, C.A.O.S., ANDOS Comitato di Varese, LILT and ANDOS Comitato di Ispra, with the patronage of Europa Donna Italia and FAVO Lombardia.

Participants in the days dedicated to the University of Insubria will also be able to contribute, on a voluntary basis, 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 Sciences and Techniques at the University of Insubria, and are intended to gather feedback on the quality of the service and participants’ overall experience.