The History

About us The History

Systematically designed approach to reducing morbidity and mortality from cancer in Serbia is related to the data of the Cancer Register. At the end of the nineties Register data have pointed to the high value of incidence and mortality from cervical cancer in Serbia , which were several times higher than the same rate of morbidity and mortality in the European Union .

We presented these alarming data from the Cancer Register to representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Belgrade in early 2001 In order to find support for a possible program for the early detection of cervical cancer in Serbia, in 2004 the French government supported the WHO to implement the program, which would promote organized cervical cancer screening in the selected region of the our country. Branicevo, one of the regions of the country with the highest rates of morbidity and mortality from this malignant localization was selected for the pilot project of cervical cancer screening. Partners in the pilot project were the French government, the WHO , the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia , Institute of Public Health of Serbia , Institute of Public Health in Pozareva , all health  care centres in Branicevo and the Institute of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Clinical Centre of Serbia The project objectives were to decrease the number of advanced stages of cervical cancer in order to reduce mortality of this malignant localization, to find model for cervical cancer, to improve the quality of health care services for women  and to develop a screening program activities that could be implemented to the national level .

It was a professional challenge to participate in an organized program of early detection of cervical cancer in Serbia, where are women exposed to the highest risk of morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer in Europe. The promotion of organized early detection of cervical cancer was based on internationally recognized principles of screening based on evidences. Approximately 60 % of women in the target group of Branicevo region participated in the screening since 2004 to 2006.

Cancer Registry had an important role in breast cancer screening in Uzice (2005) and colorectal cancer screening in the municipalities of Vozdovac, Subotica and Valjevo (2007)  

With the adoption of National program - Serbia against cancer (2008) and National programs for early detection of breast, cervical and colorectal cancer, priorities of health politics in our country became focused on the prevention of malignant diseases.

National Cancer Screening Office has a key role in the implementation of cancer screening.

Experts who are full/time employed in the National Cancer Screening Office In the office working full-time professionals educated on the basics of epidemiology, screening organization, communication techniques and mobilization of the population, quality assurance techniques and methodology for data collection, monitoring and evaluation of the screening.

National Cancer Screening Office

The immediate implementation of the national program for early detection of cervical, breast and colorectal cancer is the responsibility of the National of Cancer Screening OFFICE which:

  • coordinates, organizes, monitors and evaluates the implementation of organized screening  and provides professional support to participants in the organized screening program;
  • coordinates education of health workers included in the implementation of cancer screening;
  • conducts activities according to the five-year and annual plans in the area of screening program;
  • submits to the National Expert Committees and the Ministry of Health proposal of five-year and annual plans in the area of screening program, including the financial plan and periodic and annual reports on the execution of the plan;
  • proposes to the National Expert Committees changes and amendments of current and new national screening programs;
  • prepares and proposes to the National Expert Committee draft of standards, norms and indicators for the implementation of screening
  • prepares and proposes to the National Expert Committee unique form for data collection;
  • plans and conducts research in the field of screening;
  • prepares draft program of promotional activities;
  • delivers monthly reports on implementation of screening to the Ministry of health.
  • Conducts other activities in the area of screening with the  agreement of the National Expert Committees.

National Cancer Screening Office