Pink October 2026: ASST Sette Laghi and Insubria bring prevention closer to the community through a network of healthcare professionals, institutions and associations working together for women’s health

Pink October is an important initiative for the University of Insubria too, reminding us of how education, teaching and research can make a concrete contribution to breast cancer prevention and care. This commitment is reflected in the many activities promoted by Professor Francesca Rovera and the University’s Breast Cancer Research Centre. These days, the University is also offering breast examinations, Pap tests and vaccinations to its female community, in collaboration with ASST Sette Laghi.

Below we publish the press release from ASST Sette Laghi outlining all the initiatives planned for Pink October 2026.

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During the month dedicated to breast cancer prevention, ASST Sette Laghi, together with the University of Insubria and the associations that have been supporting women throughout their prevention and care journeys for years, is offering a wide-ranging programme of initiatives across its many locations, involving professionals from the Breast Unit, Genetics, Radiology, Vaccination Services, the Coordination of Consultative Activities and Primary Care Psychology Services.

Pink October 2026 offers initiatives for women at different stages of life, with events taking place at all ASST Sette Laghi Community Houses and at the Malnate local healthcare centre, as well as a programme specifically dedicated to the University of Insubria at its Via O. Rossi site in Varese.

In particular, at the local healthcare facilities in Varese, Luino, Laveno, Tradate, Sesto Calende, Arcisate, Gazzada, Malnate, Angera and Gavirate, women will be offered personalised prevention consultations and health education, together with psycho-oncological support, mindfulness and psycho-nutritional activities.

“Prevention is more effective when it reaches people where they live and when different areas of expertise are brought together,” says Giuseppe Calicchio, Director of Social and Health Services at ASST Sette Laghi. “With this programme, we are bringing not only clinical expertise into the community, but also listening, information and support, thanks to the integrated work of healthcare professionals and associations.”

The collaboration with the University of Insubria is part of the Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) programme and brings the culture of prevention to younger women, through dedicated days for female students and university employees.

On 30 October and 13 November, University of Insubria female staff members under the age of 45 will be able to attend personalised breast cancer prevention consultations and health education sessions at the Family Counselling Centre, Via Ottorino Rossi 9, Varese. Appointments will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and must be booked in advance by calling 392 8255403, Monday to Friday, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Participants will also have the opportunity to request genetic counselling to assess potential hereditary cancer risks.

On 29 October and 12 November, Pap tests will be available free of charge and without an appointment to University of Insubria female students and staff at the same location. Female students will also have free access to HPV vaccination, with no appointment required. No breast health consultations will be provided on these two days.

If the examination indicates the need for further diagnostic tests, such as a mammogram, the examination will be scheduled within three days at the Radiology Departments of Varese, Tradate and Angera hospitals.

The initiative strengthens the collaboration between ASST Sette Laghi and the University of Insubria to promote women’s health and foster a culture of prevention from the earliest stages of adulthood.

Alongside ASST Sette Laghi professionals, the participating associations will include AMOR, Varese per l’Oncologia, C.A.O.S., ANDOS Varese, LILT and ANDOS Ispra, with the support of Europa Donna Italia and FAVO Lombardia.

The initiative will also include an opportunity for women to share their experiences and provide feedback. Participants will be invited to complete two optional questionnaires, one at the beginning and one at the end of the programme. The questionnaires have been prepared and will be managed by C.A.O.S., in collaboration with Alessandra Grossi, lecturer in Communication Sciences and Techniques at the University of Insubria. They will provide feedback on the quality of the services and women’s experiences during the prevention days.

“Every year, Pink October is an important opportunity to remember that prevention of breast cancer and other major women’s health conditions should not be limited to healthcare settings, but should reach out to women in the places where they live their everyday lives,” says Francesca Rovera, Director of the Breast Unit at ASST Sette Laghi and Head of the Breast Cancer Research Centre at the University of Insubria. “As President of the University’s School of Medicine, I am particularly pleased that this year the initiative is also being extended to university employees and female medical students. It is a way of turning Pink October not only into an opportunity for awareness-raising, but also into a concrete opportunity to take care of one’s health. Prevention means knowledge, awareness and the ability to make more informed choices. Bringing prevention closer to women means, first and foremost, being there for them.”

“Working together means offering women not only healthcare services, but a pathway combining prevention, information, listening and support,” says Adele Patrini, President of C.A.O.S. and FAVO Lombardia Delegate. “This is the value of a Pink October initiative involving the entire local community.”

Prevention should not be concentrated in one place or at one particular time: it should be a network close to women, capable of supporting them through the different stages of life.