October is Pink Ribbon Month – a month that strongly reminds us how important it is to take care of our own health. The pink ribbon, a symbol of the fight against breast cancer, carries the message that prevention saves lives. Early detection of changes in the breast area can be crucial for successful treatment and recovery. In Montenegro, around 400 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. That is why Pink October is an opportunity to remind every woman to pause, listen to her body, and schedule a preventive check-up.
Starting this month, a state-of-the-art digital mammography unit, valued atnearly €175,000, is fully operational at the Tivat Health Centre. Thanks to the RISE-UP project, funded through the Interreg IPA CBC Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021–2027 programme, Tivat has joined the group of cities that provide female citizens with the most accurate and reliable breast diagnostics available.
“Mammography is the gold standard in diagnosing various breast changes. The earlier a change is recognised and breast cancer is detected, the higher the chances of successful recovery. Unfortunately, Montenegro ranks among the top countries for breast cancer incidence,” said Dr Danica Stevović, Director of the Tivat Health Centre.
Radiology nurse Tamara Stojanović explained that mammography is a painless procedure lasting only a few minutes — yet it can save someone’s life.
“We invite all women aged 40 and above to contact the radiology department with a referral from their GP or gynaecologist,” Tamara added, noting that appointments are available daily.
Citizens have already recognised the importance of mammographic diagnostics.
“Prevention means we won’t need treatment later,” said Sandra, one of the survey respondents, while her fellow citizen Tanja added: “Screening tests are simple and painless — not as hard to get as many think.”
Another resident, Lidija, reminded everyone that “prevention is crucial in the fight against malignancies and other diseases.”
Through the RISE-UP project, Tivat Health Centre once again demonstrates its dedication to improving healthcare and strengthening preventive medicine. The purchase of the digital mammography unit is part of a broader effort to modernise the centre’s services and make healthcare more accessible. The project has also provided new ambulances, home care vehicles, and microbiology equipment. Additionally, modern gynaecological equipment has been secured through the EU project “Before Time”, which is aimed at enhancing prevention and early detection of cervical cancer.
At a time when breast cancer statistics are concerning, the example set by Tivat shows that investing in prevention and modern diagnostics is not a luxury but a necessity. The new digital mammography unit and advanced gynaecological equipment in Tivat represent not only technical progress but also a clear message: women’s health is a priority.
Author: Anđelika Durutović
Article source: ME4EU
