Clinical center organizes free examinations as part of the early detection of melanoma initiative

The Clinical Center of Montenegro (KCCG) will organize, as part of the early detection of melanoma initiative, free dermoscopic examinations of moles without prior referral or appointment, the health institution announced.

It is stated that free examinations will be organized today, tomorrow, May 15th and 16th, from 14 am to 13 pm, while Euromelanoma Day is scheduled for Monday, from 15 pm to XNUMX pm.

As announced, free dermatological examinations will be available to citizens in 12 Montenegrin municipalities - Podgorica, Danilovgrad, Nikšić, Pljevlja, Herceg Novi, Bar, Ulcinj, Budva, Kotor, Berane, Bijelo Polje and Cetinje.

The KCCG said that examinations enable timely detection of suspicious skin changes, which is crucial for successful treatment of melanoma.

Doctors and nurses of the Clinic for Dermatovenerology, as stated in the statement, traditionally actively participate in the global initiative for the early detection of melanoma, a malignant skin tumor, with a special focus on melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, but also non-melanoma skin tumors.

Medical Director of the KCCG Đorđe Krnjević emphasized the importance of these activities, emphasizing that this health institution fully responsibly supports initiatives that contribute to improving the health of citizens.

Clinic Director Mirjana Bakić emphasized that the goal is to raise awareness among citizens about the importance of annual dermatological examinations, as well as regular skin self-examinations.

"This year, the initiative has been further expanded to include preventive checkups for KCCG employees," said Bakić.

She pointed to a multidisciplinary approach where, as she explained, together with plastic and reconstructive surgeons, pathologists, oncologists and radiotherapists, they represent an organized team "from prevention to therapy".

Dermatovenerologist and oncology specialist, Ana Popović, reminded that melanoma is the rarest, but also the deadliest form of skin cancer and the one with the highest growth rate in the world.

"In Montenegro, we also see an increase in the number of patients every year," Popović warned, adding that only 20 percent of melanoma is detected on time, although early diagnosis allows for cure in more than 90 percent of cases.

Popović, who is the National Coordinator of the Euromelanoma Campaign, emphasized the importance of educating citizens, especially parents and children, about protecting their skin from UV radiation.

"Children under the age of three should not be exposed to direct sunlight, while older children should be protected from ten to 16 p.m., using creams with a high sun protection factor and appropriate clothing," Popović emphasized.

As announced by the KCCG, the campaign includes an educational video and free dermatological examinations, especially for people from risk groups.

It is added that the initiative is being implemented by the Association of Dermatological Oncology of Montenegro, in cooperation with Euromelanoma Europe and EADO, with the support of the Ministry of Health, the KCCG, the University of Montenegro, the Ministry of Sports and Youth, as well as the Health Insurance Fund.

"As part of the campaign, in cooperation with public and private health institutions, citizens will be provided with free dermatological examinations in 12 Montenegrin municipalities - Podgorica, Danilovgrad, Nikšić, Pljevlja, Herceg Novi, Bar, Ulcinj, Budva, Kotor, Berane, Bijelo Polje and Cetinje," the statement says.

Specialist in general, plastic and reconstructive surgery, Zoran Terzić, said that when melanoma is detected at an early stage, complete cure is possible through surgical removal.

"For melanomas thicker than 0,8 millimeters, a sentinel lymph node biopsy is mandatory. Surgical treatment is also important if the disease is widespread," Terzić said.

As announced by the KCCG, in Montenegro, thanks to the dedication of the profession and the support of institutions, significant progress has been made in the availability of modern melanoma therapy, including BRAF testing and therapies such as vemurafenib, pembrolizumab, and the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib.

"These therapies enable better outcomes for patients in the early but high-risk stages of the disease," the statement said.

Doctor Nada Cicmil Sarić said that in Montenegro, all patients with melanoma have access to modern therapy, as in developed European countries.

"So far, around 100 patients have been treated with pembrolizumab, and ten have had a complete response," said Cicmil Sarić.

According to her, early adjuvant therapy will soon be available for patients with stages 2B and 2C melanoma, allowing for better outcomes in the early stages of the disease.

"The introduction of drugs for the treatment of ocular melanoma is planned, and they are expected to be available within a year," said Cicmil Sarić, adding that these drugs represent the real and, in many cases, the only hope for patients facing this type of malignancy.

As she pointed out, advanced radiation techniques, such as radiosurgery, allow for precise targeting of brain metastases, preserving the patient's cognitive functions.