Cervical cancer was detected in 98 women in 2024, according to data from the Oncology Council of the Clinical Center of Montenegro, and in more than half (55 percent) of patients, the disease was detected at a stage when surgery was impossible.
"This shows that in most cases the disease is diagnosed when it is advanced, when treatment becomes difficult and uncertain, which significantly disrupts the quality of life of the affected woman and reduces the chances of a cure," the Institute of Public Health (IJZ) announced on the occasion of European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.
The Public Health Institute said that since the establishment of organized cervical cancer screening in 2016 until the end of 2025, 50.724 women in Montenegro have been tested for HPV infection at least once.
"In the last three-year period, 23.838 women in Montenegro were tested for HPV at least once, of which 3.457 cases had a positive test result (14,51 percent)," they said, explaining that this year the target group for screening will be women aged 30 to 54 without symptoms or signs of the disease. They pointed out that the primary screening is the HPV test, and that since last year, if the test is positive, a cytological analysis has been performed from the same sample, eliminating the need to visit the gynecologist again.
"Based on the results of the screening tests, an individual risk assessment is performed according to the established protocol. Women who test positive for HPV are referred for additional diagnostics because they are considered to be at increased risk for developing cervical cancer. A negative HPV result indicates a low risk. The patient is invited for regular check-ups in five years," explained the Public Health Institute.
According to data from the Public Health Institute, more than 15.000 children and young people have received the HPV vaccine so far - 11.274 girls and young women and 4.006 boys and young men.
The Public Health Institute reminded that the primary target group for vaccination is girls and boys aged nine to 14, when the vaccine is most effective. Vaccination is also available for the age groups 15 to 18, as well as 19 to 26.
This institution emphasized that the recommendations for the prevention of cervical cancer are HPV vaccination, responsible sexual behavior because the use of condoms reduces the risk of infection, regular gynecological examinations, and active participation in organized screening for this disease.
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