Lung cancer, a marathon for prevention in Verona

Sports, health and research allied in the prevention of oncological diseases. It happens during the Eurospin Verona Run Marathon 42k/21k, a competitive event with thousands of participants from Italy and the world that this year will take place on Sunday 16 November in conjunction with the Aipo (Italian Association of Hospital Pulmonologists) National Congress. Alongside the marathon, “AMAti–Adapted Motor Activity for Patients with Lung Cancer” will take place, a project promoted by the association Women Against Lung Cancer in Europe (Walce), which will also be present in the square with the iconic cigarette butt-shaped stand of “Esci dal tunnel, non bruciarti il ​​futuro”, a campaign that offers free information, counseling and basic spirometry.

Activities for patients

“November is the month dedicated to lung cancer and Verona, for the first time, will talk about this disease to the population, patients and their families in the context of a very high-profile sporting event”, says Silvia Novello, Professor of Medical Oncology, University of Turin and President of Walce. The association has been working for some time on assisted physical activity for cancer patients and with the “AMAti” project has organized three-monthly courses led by specialized kinesiologists with master's degrees in oncology in Turin, Milan, Monza, Florence and Bari. “Now we want to take a further step forward and involve as many people as possible to get the message across that thanks to specific physical activity it is possible to improve fatigue, cardiorespiratory capacity and lung function, increase strength and mobility, improve psychological state and reduce anxiety. “For us”, observes the oncologist, “it is a precious opportunity to break the silence and stigma that often surround this disease, to underline how primary prevention and correct lifestyles are the most effective tool in the fight against cancer”.

Primary and secondary prevention

Physical activity is no longer just a prevention tool: today it is a real therapeutic resource for those facing an oncological diagnosis. “Numerous scientific evidence shows that regular physical exercise reduces the risk of developing some tumors – including lung cancer – improves the quality of life, enhances the efficacy and tolerability of treatments and helps reduce the risk of recurrence”, observes Sara Pilotto, Associate of Medical Oncology, Department of Engineering for Innovative Medicine and member of the Walce board. “In Verona this innovative approach has been a reality since 2019, thanks to the collaboration between the Oncology of the Integrated University Hospital and the Department of Motor Sciences of the University of Verona”.

“Good prevention includes lifestyle, diet and vaccination, but respiratory diseases are also influenced by air pollution, climate conditions and especially cigarette smoking, which always remains the first risk factor for our respiratory health”, concludes Claudio Micheletto, President of Aipo-Its/Ets.

How to sign up

While over 3,000 people have already been able to register for the competitive marathon and half marathon, those for the Family run have just opened, the race in which people of all ages can participate, running or walking. You can register online until 11:59 pm on November 11, 2025 on the Eurospin Verona Run Marathon website or through the Walce website, thus contributing to a fundamental fundraiser to support the association and its projects.