ESGE DAYS 2026

Scientific rationale

On the occasion of ESGE Days 2026, the SIED – Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy, in collaboration with ESGE – European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and with the support of Lombardy Region, promotes an awareness project dedicated to the prevention of colorectal cancer.

colorectal carcinoma is still one of the main causes of cancer mortality in the world. Particularly worrying is the growing increase in cases in younger population groups, with about 1 out of 10 diagnoses in people under 50 years. This scenario makes it increasingly urgent to spread a culture of prevention and risk awareness.

The adoption of healthy lifestyles – balanced nutrition, body weight control, regular physical activity, alcohol reduction and smoking abolition – can significantly contribute to the prevention of numerous neoplasms, including colorectal cancer. In this context, prevention and early diagnosis take a decisive role.

The project puts the citizen at the centre of the information path through initiatives aimed at young people and the general population: educational meetings in schools, multidisciplinary events and innovative experiences of augmented immersive reality, which allow to explore the human colon and understand in a simple and engaging way the role of microbiota, food and polipi formation.

The goal is to create a stable and replicable model of collaboration between institutions and scientific societies, able to strengthen the national campaign of prevention of colorectal cancer, improve public health protection and contribute to the sustainability of the healthcare system.

A City Fun Run, open to citizens and congress participants, is also planned to promote physical activity as a fundamental element of prevention.