ZAGREB, 26 March 2022 - The Daffodil Day, traditionally observed in Croatia in March to raise awareness of breast cancer, was again marked by outdoor events in the main squares in Croatian cities on Saturday, after a two-year break due to the coronavirus pandemic when only online events were held on that occasion.
In Zagreb's "Trg bana Jelačića" and "Cvjetni" squares, citizens could get information about this malignant disease.
Also, a mobile mammography van arrived in Zagreb's main square to offer free medical checks as part of the 26th edition of Daffodil Day.
On the occasion of this year's Daffodil Day, Health Minister Vili Beroš said that the mortality caused by breast cancer had declined by 25%, as a result of the national turnout of 60% to examinations within the National Breast Cancer Screening Programme.
Breast cancer most frequently diagnosed malignant disease among women
Breast cancer mortality has been falling in Croatia for the fifth consecutive year, the Croatian Public Health Institute (HZJZ) said recently ahead of Daffodil Day, noting that the disease was no longer the leading cause of mortality in women.
Breast cancer is now the third leading type of cancer causing death in the female population, after lung and colon cancer.
In terms of breast cancer mortality, Croatia ranks 15th in the EU, which is better than average.
In 2019, Croatia recorded 2,999 cases of breast cancer (143.2 cases per 100,000 population), and 722 women died of that disease in 2020 (34.7 deaths per 100,000 population).
Due to population ageing, it is forecast that more and more women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
