January 13, 2021 Partnership with the Croatian League Against Cancer

We are pleased to inform our members that we have agreed on a partnership with the Croatian League Against Cancer. We are quoting the address of the association's leaders in full:

The Croatian League Against Cancer, as the oldest association for the fight against cancer in this region, has made a huge contribution to the development of oncology in Croatia. Its activities and effects are, in the opinion of many experts, great and often irreplaceable because it has mobilized not only numerous experts from oncology and related professions in the fight against cancer, but also numerous humanists and people of good will who have made and continue to make a significant contribution to improving oncological care in Croatia.

We carry out numerous activities throughout the calendar year to raise awareness of the general public about the public health challenges that the health system is struggling with and how every citizen can help prevent the increase in the number of patients with their actions and how to timely detect malignant, as well as other chronic diseases.

Some of the activities we carry out are:

1. Mimosa Day

As part of the fight against cervical cancer and Cancer Day at the end of January/beginning of February, which brings together numerous experts. They educate citizens about the importance of informing and educating women about HPV and its role in the development of pre-cancerous lesions and cervical cancer itself, as well as how to prevent, recognize and treat cervical cancer in a timely manner. Those who are unfortunately diagnosed with this disease, citizens help by donating the mimosa flower, which has been a symbol of the fight against cervical cancer for many years.

2. Narcissus Day

Educating and raising awareness about the vital importance of breast cancer prevention at the end of March. Numerous doctors and public figures educate citizens about the importance of prevention, self-examination and timely examinations by a doctor (mammography) that can recognize breast cancer in a timely manner and start treatment in a timely manner.

3. European Cancer Week from 25 to 31 May

It is carried out by the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL), of which we are proud members. The goal of this campaign in 2020 was to raise awareness about cancer prevention, access to treatment and support for people who have survived cancer. Under the slogan "LET'S DECODE CANCER!" we sent an important message about the importance of cancer prevention and compliance with the European Code Against Cancer, which, through its vital 12 points, emphasizes how to reduce the possibility of this vicious disease.

4. 12 Minutes of Movement Against Cancer

12 Minutes of Movement Against Cancer is the first joint initiative of the young ambassadors of the European Code Against Cancer, designed under the auspices of the European League Against Cancer, and is implemented every year in their home countries with the aim of popularizing the 12 recommendations for cancer prevention.

5. Croglobaton – hiking against gynecological cancer!

We hike with the aim of raising public awareness about the need to prevent cancer of the reproductive system in women in order to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise women's awareness of the need to go for regular gynecological check-ups.

6. Breast Cancer Month

In October every year, we hold numerous activities on the occasion of Breast Cancer Month. By educating experts and the general public and investing in public health activities for many years, the rate of women dying from breast cancer is significantly reduced.

7. Movember – brakti studeni

In November, the month of fighting prostate cancer, we are implementing the campaign "Movember – brakti studeni" with the aim of raising awareness among the male population about the importance of early detection of prostate cancer. In the campaign, we emphasize that prostate cancer is the second most common malignant tumor in men, that it is very easy to diagnose, that in the initial stage it is relatively easy to cure with surgery or radiation in almost 100% of cases, and that early preventive screening of middle-aged and older men can detect prostate cancer in time, and the first step is diagnosing an elevated PSA value.

8. Free online workshops for oncology patients

During October, November and December 2020, in collaboration with the Sirius association, we held a series of free workshops for psychological support for oncology patients via the zoom platform. The workshops were held by nutritionists, a clinical psychiatrist, an oncologist, and a psychologist.

9. Heroic – karate in integrated care and survivorship concept to HElp impROve mental health and overall well-being of cancer patients

HEROIC is a public health educational project based on the contemporary trend of integrative oncology practice and the growing concept of living with cancer and "surviving" after a cancer diagnosis. It aims to promote the strengthening of integrated care of oncology patients, to raise awareness of the importance of preventing the onset of malignant diseases, to contribute to the preservation of mental health and to improve the reintegration and rehabilitation of oncology patients, by connecting a multidisciplinary team of numerous experts and karate as a sport that has been scientifically proven to contribute to psychophysical health and which would be an innovative link in this integrated project.

In this short overview, it is impossible to list all the activities and people who participated in them. Therefore, on behalf of the presidency of the League and myself, I would like to thank all those who have helped in any way, even with the smallest contribution, and in this way made this League what it is. What it is, judge for yourself, and what it will be, will certainly depend on all of us.

The need for such an Association will exist until such time as we completely eradicate malignant diseases. Unfortunately, that will not happen soon. The League must therefore continue to gather people of good will, primarily humanists who are ready to donate their free time, knowledge and experience to others - cancer patients and their family members. There have always been and will always be such people, and therefore we should not fear for the future of the Croatian League against Cancer.

prof. dr. sc. Damir Eljuga, president of the Croatian League Against Cancer

Neda Ferenčić Vrban, dr. med. secretary general of the Croatian League Against Cancer