MEP: A breast change detected early can be crucial in treatment and recovery

A timely detected change in the breast can be crucial in treatment and recovery, the Ministry of European Affairs (MEP) announced today.

"October is the month of the pink ribbon. A month that strongly reminds us how important it is to take care of our own health. The pink ribbon, a symbol of the fight against breast cancer, carries the message that prevention saves lives. A timely detected change in the breast can be crucial in treatment and recovery. In Montenegro, about 400 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Therefore, Pink October becomes an opportunity to call on every woman to stop, listen to her body and have a preventive examination," the MEP statement emphasizes.

The government department headed by Maida Gorčević added that a modern digital mammogram, worth nearly 175 thousand euros, has been in operation at the Tivat Health Center since this month.

The MEPs also said that thanks to the RISE-UP project, funded through the Interreg IPA CBC program, Tivat has joined the cities that provide their citizens with the most accurate and reliable diagnostics of breast changes.

"Mammography is the gold standard in diagnosing various changes in the breast. The earlier the change is recognized and breast cancer is detected, the higher the cure rate. Unfortunately, Montenegro is at the top of the breast cancer incidence scale," said the director of the Tivat Health Center, Dr. Danica Stevović, according to the MEP statement.

Nurse Tamara Stojanović from the radiology department says that mammography is a painless procedure that only takes a few minutes, and it can save someone's life.

"We invite all women over the age of 40 to report to the radiology department with a referral from their chosen physician or gynecologist," says Stojanović, adding that examinations are scheduled daily.

The MEP statement states that the citizens of Tivat have already recognized the importance of mammography diagnostics.

"If we prevent in time, then we don't treat," says Sandra, one of the respondents in the survey, while her fellow citizen Tanja says that "examinations are neither painful nor inaccessible, as is often thought."

The MEP also stated that Lidija from Tivćan once again reminds: "prevention is not only important in the fight against malignancy, but also against other diseases."

"The Tivat Health Center, through the RISE-UP project, further confirms its commitment to improving healthcare and strengthening preventive medicine. The purchase of a digital mammogram is part of a broader effort for the institution to modernize its services and make healthcare more accessible. Through the RISE-UP project, new ambulance and patrol vehicles were purchased, as well as microbiology equipment. Through another EU project 'Before time', which aims to strengthen the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer, modern gynecological equipment was also provided. At a time when breast cancer statistics are warning, the Tivat example shows that investing in prevention and modern diagnostics is not a luxury, but a necessity. The new digital mammogram and modern gynecological equipment in Tivat bring not only technical progress, but also a clear message that caring for women's health is a priority," the MEP statement reads.