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Story and Polyclinic Cito together in the fight against breast cancer

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is held every October. It is a time dedicated each year to education about breast cancer and the importance of early detection and timely, high-quality care.

To make free appointment please follow the link:10 free breast exams

About breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the world, with 25.8% of the total number of new cases diagnosed in 2020. The WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that there were more than 2.26 million new cases of breast cancer in 2020. Overall, the average risk that a woman will develop breast cancer at some point in her life is about 13%, this means that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.

Prevention of breast cancer

Breast cancer screening is how doctors check the breasts for early signs of cancer in people who have no symptoms of breast cancer. The main test used to detect breast cancer is a special type of X-ray called a mammogram.

The goal of breast cancer screening is to detect cancer early, before it has a chance to grow, spread or cause problems.

The importance of breast self-examination

Breast self-examination is a procedure that allows a woman to examine her own breasts.

During the self-examination, women (or man) should pay attention to the detection of lumps on the breast, any changes in the skin of the breast and nipples, discharge from the nipples, and the soreness in the breast itself. If a woman (or man) notices one of the above symptoms, she is advised to consult a doctor.

When to do the first mammogram examination?

The first mammographic examination is recommended for all women between the ages of 38 and 40. Women who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer are advised to start screening earlier.

The most significant risk factors that increase the risk of breast cancer are:  

  • Age: The risk of breast cancer increases with age.
  • Genetic mutations: Women who have inherited changes (mutations) of certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, have a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
  • The onset of menstruation before the age of 12 and the onset of menopause after the age of 55 expose women to longer effects of hormones, increasing their risk of breast cancer.
  • Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
  • Occurrence of breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer in close relatives
  • Previous breast disease

Risk factors you can change:

  • Unhealthy diet (high proportion of fat in food)
  • Obesity
  • Increased alcohol consumption
  • Smoking
  • Exposure to radioactive radiation

National breast cancer early detection program

The national breast cancer early detection program covers all women in the Republic of Croatia aged 50 to 69. As part of the program, women can have a mammographic examination of their breasts every two years. Women receive an invitation to their home address for a free mammography examination. The goal of this organized screening is to reduce mortality from breast cancer by 25% to 30%, to detect cancer in the initial stage in a higher percentage than today, and to improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients.

More about the program: Letak-dojke_2015_web

More about Cito Polyclinic

Since its establishment in 2001, the Cito Polyclinic has been dedicated to the care of women throughout their lives and provides comprehensive, high-quality obstetric and gynecological care with the warmth, sensitivity, and accessibility of community practice.

Policlinic Cito brings together a team of certified doctors and external associates from the fields of gynecology, urology, oncology and surgery who bring decades of experience and a wide range of clinical backgrounds and specialties, ensuring that care for each patient is tailored to their individual needs – all in a comfortable, practical environment.

Since 2006, the Medically Induced Fertilization program has been launched at the Cito Polyclinic, which has achieved excellent results, and more than 3,000 children have been born from the program to date. Thanks to the most modern technology and educated staff, the work of the Cito Polyclinic is recognized by the community, and in a survey conducted in 2015, the Cito Polyclinic was declared the leading institution in the Republic of Croatia in terms of the number and percentage of successful medically assisted insemination.

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Are You At Risk

The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool allows to estimate a woman's risk of developing invasive breast cancer over the next 5 years

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