November 12, 2022 - Private healthcare in Croatia is increasingly focused on treating malignant diseases. Some modern methods of cancer treatment are already proving successful.

As Poslovni writes, the expert team of the Special Hospital Radiochirurgia Zagreb has so far had the opportunity to treat more than seven thousand patients and has analysed more than ninety thousand cases, among which all forms of cancer were represented. Lung, liver, and prostate cancers were the most common types. These figures and the latest cancer treatment achievements were presented at the 8^th Croatian Surgical Congress with international activities. As part of the Congress, surgeons from leading hospitals in Heidelberg, Dallas, Tel Aviv, Athens, Liege, Basel, Ljubljana, Maribor, Belgrade, and Zagreb visited Radiochirurgia Zagreb Special Hospital in Sveta Nedelja.

"In six years of operation, Radiochirurgia Zagreb has grown into one of the leading regional and European cancer treatment centers. Using the linear accelerator Varian Edge and CyberKnife S7, which enables the treatment of cancer with the help of artificial intelligence, as well as a superbly equipped oncological-surgical theatre, the expert team of Radiochirurgia Zagreb was the first to introduce modern adaptive-hybrid surgery into practice in this part of Europe, which, in cases where it is indicated, combines classic surgery with radiosurgery and interventional radiology", they point out from the institution headed by Dragan Schwartz.

What the expert team of the Special Hospital is most proud of are the results of the treatment of pancreatic cancer, which they treated in the last five years in 340 patients, 120 of whom were diagnosed with an inoperable locally advanced form, where the survival rate for 50 percent of patients was longer than two years and 13 percent longer than four years. According to available data, this is currently the longest survival rate for this form of cancer worldwide.

At Radiochirurgia Zagreb, they believe that the hybrid approach to treatment will become more and more common in practice, and concrete cooperation with several leading institutions was also agreed upon at the congress.

Private healthcare in Croatia is increasingly focused on treating malignant diseases - this is confirmed by the announcement of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's (UPMC) investment of around 15 million euros in Zabok, based on a cooperation agreement with the St. Catherine's Special Hospital. As announced this week, the establishment of the new Center for the Treatment of Malignant Diseases in Zabok will provide Croatian patients with diagnostic and therapeutic services fully equivalent to those in the USA, in accordance with the current prices of the HZZO.

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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.

ZAGREB, 12 March 2022 - Colorectal cancer is first in Croatia in terms of cases diagnosed every year and only 20% to 30% of citizens respond to calls for screenings, it was said on Saturday at an event marking Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

"We have about 3,600 new cases annually and about 10% of people daily get this disease," said Krunoslav Capak, director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ).

This is the most frequent cancer in Croatia at the moment and we should all fight against it together through prevention and a healthier lifestyle, he added.

This year Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is being marked for the first time under a decision of the Croatian parliament in order to highlight the importance of screenings.

In 2007, Croatia introduced a programme for colorectal cancer screening for adults aged between 50 and 74, and according to relevant statistics, residents in coastal areas seem least ready to undergo this test.

In Croatia, six people die of this disease daily on average and between 2,000 and 2,100 annually. 

The HZJZ said recently that in the coastal counties, except Zadar County, the turnout for the colorectal cancer screening is under the Croatian average.

Regular screening reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancer.

The mortality rate can be reduced provided that those aged between 50 and 74 undergo regular tests and follow doctors' orders.

The HZJZ said that this would be conducive to efforts to save 1,000-1,500 patients annually.

ZAGREB, November 12, 2020 - President Zoran Milanovic on Thursday met with representatives of the Croatia against Cancer initiative, an association of cancer patients, supporting their demands for the adoption of a national cancer strategy as soon as possible.

Croatia is the only EU member state that still hasn't adopted a national cancer strategy which would represent a model of true and more than necessary reform of the health system which Croatia has to implement with the aim of improving the outcome of treatment and ensuring patient rights guaranteed by the Constitution, the meeting was told.

The initiative's representatives warned that adopting the strategy would put Croatia in a position to use EU funds intended for the fight against cancer, which now is not possible.

August 29, 2020 – The team of Croatian scientists' published results prove that extracts from a medicinal fungus stop tumours growing, spreading and help chemotherapy.

A team of Croatian scientists has proven that a known medicinal fungus can be used in effectively fighting colon cancer. They published their findings in a renowned science journal over the past week.

The team, led by Boris Jakopović (Dr Myko San, Croatia), presented the results of effects on colon cancer by a complex series of extracts from the Agarikon.1 medicinal mushroom. They proved that the extracts strongly inhibit the growth of existing tumours and prevent the spreading of the disease. Boris Jakopović has been testing the effectiveness of medicinal mushrooms on cancer for several years.

A further positive effect on a number of other proteins - biomarkers associated with a better prognosis for progression of the disease - was also found and detailed in the study. This effect of the mushroom extracts can significantly enhance the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy and also alleviate its side effects.

Croatian scientists who also undertook the work and co-signed the published findings were Anita Horvatić from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb, Nada Oršolić from the Faculty of Science in Zagreb, Marko Klobučar, Sandra Kraljević Pavelić and Petra Grbčić from the University of Rijeka. Andrea Gelemanović from the Mediterranean Institute for Life Research in Split and Ivan Jakopović from the company Dr Myko San.

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ZAGREB, March 12, 2019 - A lung cancer screening programme will be launched in May in ten Croatian cities with the aim of reducing the fatality rate of that disease that is diagnosed among 3,000 people in Croatia each year.

Low-dose CT scanners that use latest technology to minimise the amount of X-rays needed to perform the scan will be distributed throughout Croatia and as of May family physicians will invite people considered to be at risk of that disease and those are smokers aged over 50.

The coordinator of the National lung cancer early detection programme, Miroslav Samaržija made this announcement on Monday adding that aim is to identify as many patients at the early stages when the cancer can still be cured

The programme was presented at an expert panel discussion titled "Europe of equal opportunities for patients with lung cancer", held at the BIOCentre at Zagreb's Borongaj campus.

Early detection is the only way to treat lung cancer, as targeted therapy provides survival but not permanent recovery, he explained adding that the survival rate in the USA is 15% to 20%, in Great Britain it is 10% yet in Croatia it is about 6%.

He underscored that the Netherlands and Belgium are the only two European countries that have conducted preventative and screening programmes like the one that is currently being introduced in Croatia. These countries have reduced their fatality rate for the illness by 25% to 40%, he added.

Samaržija explained that currently all medication for cancer treatment is available in Croatia just like in any other EU country, however, the only limitation is, the implementation of immunotherapy at the start of treatment and is accessible to 30% to 40% of patients in Croatia.

The panel heard that thanks to innovative therapy lung cancer could become a chronic illness and that today people live up to 10 years longer.

Mary Bussell of The Economist Intelligence Unit, presented the initial results of lung cancer research in 13 European countries which show that the best results were recorded in Finland, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom and that Austria, Greece and Romania were at the bottom of the list.

Bussell said that Croatia would soon join the research and in that way have access to information about the best practices in treating lung cancer in Europe.

More medical news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

ZAGREB, February 17, 2019 - Adopting a resolution on policy challenges and strategies against women’s cancers and related comorbidities, members of the European Parliament have called for greater engagement in the fight against women's illnesses and for developing a strategy at EU level for equal access to health services for all women.

"One in three Europeans develop some form of cancer during their life. About 600,000 women die each year as a result of cancer and 90,000 women die of breast cancer," Italian MEP Daniela Aiuto has said.

Croatia is ranked among the ten countries with the highest cancer mortality rate.

The resolution recommends that a strategy at EU level be prepared, which would be based on "collecting accurate and comprehensive cancer incidence/survival data disaggregated by sex in order to ensure that specific actions are targeted at cancer patients, while undertaking research, initiating preventive action against particular types of cancer, and providing access to accurate information, screening, diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and post-therapy support in order to guarantee medical healthcare."

Aiuto says that as many as 80% of women could survive breast cancer if it was diagnosed on time.

Croatia, along with Hungary, is among the ten countries with the highest cancer mortality rate, research conducted by the Washington University shows, Croatian MEP Marijana Petir has said.

"Illness doesn't recognise sex, age, nationality, origin, social status. We are all equally exposed. That is why it is exceptionally important to raise awareness campaigns to reach everyone. It is important for preventative check-ups to be made available to everyone, including people in rural areas," Petir says.

More health news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

ZAGREB, February 10, 2019 - A donation of 127,000 kuna (17,000 euro) raised during last year's Terry Fox Run charity event was formally presented to the Ruđer Bošković Institute's Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer at a ceremony in Zagreb on Saturday.

The formal presentation of the donation was organised by the Croatian Cancer Society and the Sveti Juraj Association of Cancer Patients as part of events marking the 25th anniversary of the World Day of the Sick.

The donation will be used by the Ruđer Bošković Institute's Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer for analysis of mutation profiles of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer to help in future therapeutic protocols.

Over 2,500 new cases of breast cancer are registered in Croatia annually, of which 200 are of a hereditary nature.

In the last 19 years, the international charity campaign the Terry Fox Run has attracted over 100,000 participants in Croatia. Last September, over 5,000 citizens joined the event at Zagreb's Lake Jarun, organisers said, thanking all the people who supported this charity effort with donations or in other ways.

The Terry Fox Run was organised, among others, by the Canadian Embassy in Croatia and the Croatian Cancer Society under the auspices of the President of the Republic, the Ministries of Health and Science, the State Office for Sport, and the Mayor of Zagreb.

This non-competitive event is organised every year in honour of Canadian athlete Terry Fox, who lost a leg to cancer. In order to raise money for treatment, in 1980 he embarked on a run across Canada, which he called the Marathon of Hope. He ran 143 days, covering 42 km a day, but failed to finish the run because the disease came back, claiming his life at 22. In his memory, the Fox family launched a drive to raise money for the fight against cancer, which is held every year in Canada and over 60 countries across the world, including Croatia.

More news on the Ruđer Bošković Institute can be found in the Lifestyle section.

ZAGREB, February 4, 2019 - Fighting cancer is the government's priority this year, which is why the adoption of a national cancer plan was included in the government's reform plan in order to raise public awareness of cancer as a big public health problem and to improve prevention, check-up rates, diagnostics and therapy, Health Minister Milan Kujundžić said on Monday on the occasion of World Cancer Day.

About 23,000 people are diagnosed with and about 11,000 die of cancer in Croatia every year.

"Today is World Cancer Day which the whole world observes and it's also the beginning of Croatian Cancer Week. Unfortunately, it is estimated that the number of cancer deaths in the world will rise from 18 million to 30 million annually over the next 20 years. In Croatia, about 23,000 people are diagnosed with cancer annually and a similar rise as in the world is predicted," Kujundžić told a press conference.

He said Croatia followed world trends in cancer treatment when it comes to new medication and that last year saw a significant rise in the procurement of diagnostic equipment.

In terms of risk factors and awareness, Croatia is ranked among the worst, while in terms of screening, diagnostics and therapy, it is in the top third of developed countries. Everything should be done to make citizens go to preventive check-ups and screenings as early detection and timely diagnosis make the disease curable.

"We are especially poor when it comes to smoking and it's well-known that one in four tumours is linked to smoking", said the minister.

There are three screening programmes in Croatia - for breast, cervical and colon cancer. Kujundžić said an increase in breast cancer screening rates from the current 60 to 80% would save 3,000 lives in Croatia annually.

According to Croatian Institute of Public Health data (HZJZ), a fifth cycle of inviting women aged 50-59 to mammogram check-ups is under way as part of the National Breast Cancer Early Detection Programme. The turnout is 60%.

The turnout to the early detection of colon cancer, to which people aged 50-74 are invited, is only 21%, while a programme for the early detection of cervical cancer is undergoing reorganisation.

Low-dose CT scanning for lung cancer is expected to begin soon, it was announced.

The head of the HZJZ Cancer Registry, Mario Šekorija, said the number of people with malignancies was constantly rising, mostly due to higher life expectancy and the increasingly high number of elderly people.

In Croatia, there are 170,000 people who had cancer at one point in their lives.

More news on the health issues in Croatia can be found in the Lifestyle section.

ZAGREB, February 3, 2019 - In Croatia, about 23,000 patients are diagnosed with cancer annually, and this disease takes 11,000 lives in the country every year. The findings of a global survey, which were published last year, show that the cancer survival rates in Croatia were in the lower half of the ranking that includes European countries. The survey covered about 220,000 patients in Croatia.

The data about the five-year survival rates for 15 types of cancers in adults and three in children show Croatia's poor performance when it comes to five types.

Thus, Croatia's lung cancer survival rate is a mere 10%, survival prostate rate stands at 81%, stomach 20%, colon 51%, rectal cancer 48% and myeloid leukaemia in adults 32%.

Furthermore, the country's breast cancer survival rate is 79%, melanoma of skin 77%, and cervical cancer 63%.

On the other hand, when it comes to children diagnosed with cancer, the survival rates are on a par with developed European countries. In Croatia, overall survival rates for children with lymphoma stands at 95%, brain tumours 73% and acute myeloid leukaemia 85%.

Croatia can improve the performance with progress in early diagnosis and treatment of cancers. In the same vein, Croatians are encouraged more and more to undergo cancer screening, which helps to detect cancer before symptoms appear.

Croatia's Croatian League Against Cancer is a member of the Union for International Cancer Control's (UICC) that organises campaigns on 4 February to raise the awareness of importance of cancer research, prevention of that disease and of raising awareness and mobilising the global community to make progress against cancer.

The main slogan for this year's World Cancer Day is "I am and I will".

"2019 marks the launch of the 3-year ‘I Am and I Will’ campaign. ‘I Am and I Will’ is an empowering call-to-action urging for personal commitment and represents the power of individual action taken now to impact the future," says that international organisation.

In 2018, 18 million new cases of cancer were detected, and 9.6 million cancer-related deaths were registered.

World Cancer Day was established on 4 February 2000 at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris.

More news on the health issues in Croatia can be found in the Lifestyle section.