Also on the agenda is an initiative to provide women from risk groups with free BRCA testing and preventive ointment.

The Parliament of Montenegro has included on the agenda an initiative by the non-governmental organization (NGO) "Disi" to provide women from risk groups with free BRCA testing and preventive mastectomy with breast reconstruction, almost two years after it was submitted.

54 MPs voted to discuss the amendments to the Law on Mandatory Health Insurance during one of the next sessions of the Parliament.

Democratic People's Party (DNP) MP Jelena Kljajević said that they are considering amendments to the Draft Law on Mandatory Health Insurance.

"At the initiative of the NGO 'Disi' and the respected Mrs. Maja Gardašević, who dedicates her life and work to helping oncology patients, the DNP has made amendments to the Laws, which imply that the current one is changed by adding two new health services, which would be included in the mandatory health insurance system. Therefore, BRCA testing implies determining the genetic predisposition, or mutation, for breast and ovarian cancer."

She said that this service would be available to the citizens of Montenegro, emphasizing that prevention is more than half of health. Kljajević said that we live in a reality that is "devastating."

"Unfortunately, their struggle is very painful and difficult, and sometimes devastating. I urge you to enable the citizens of Montenegro to do everything possible with this law so that at least one woman is spared this difficult struggle," said Kljajević.

Two years ago, the NGO "Disi" submitted an initiative to the Committee on Health, Labor and Social Welfare in the Parliament of Montenegro to amend the Law on Mandatory Health Insurance, in such a way that all citizens who are in the risk group for breast cancer, in addition to free BRCA testing, are also provided with free preventive mastectomy (removal) with breast reconstruction.

"Vijesti" previously wrote that testing for BRCA mutations can provide important information for making decisions about preventive measures, early diagnosis, and therapy.

As the Clinical Center of Montenegro (KCCG) told the editorial staff at the time, testing for BRCA mutations is important for several reasons. If a person carries a BRCA mutation, they add, they may have a significantly higher risk of developing cancer, so such testing can help in planning preventive measures.

The KCCG also said at the time that people with mutations could consider preventive surgeries, such as mastectomy or oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries), or increased monitoring and early diagnosis. Testing can, they added, help family members understand their risk, since BRCA mutations are inherited.