THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES AT EUROPEAN CONGRESS OF CERVICAL COLPOSCOPY AND PATHOLOGY

Belgrade, 21 September 2007 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended the opening of the European Congress of Cervical Colposcopy and Pathology, which lasts until 22 September and is taking place at the Sava Centre, under the patronage of HE Mr. Boris Tadic, President of Serbia, in the presence of HE Mr. Tomica Milosavljevic, Minister of Health, who opened the Congress, Prof. Dr. Vesna Kesic; chairperson of the Congress, and Professor Diakomanolis, president of the European Federation for Colposcopy

Cervical cancer is a very serious problem in Europe where 60,000 women are diagnosed annually with this illness, while about 30,000 women die from it. Serbia is the first in Europe when it comes to the number of women diagnosed with cervical cancer, with about 1,500 new cases every year. A great number of our women first see a gynecologist when the illness has already taken its course and when treatment is difficult and uncertain. Unfortunately, about 500 women in Serbia die each year from cervical cancer. Most of these cases could have been prevented had the illness been discovered in time, and had treatment taken place on time.

Cervical cancer can be avoided by regular check-ups at the gynecologist’s, by efficient screenings and new technologies. However, women in Europe and in Serbia know little about this illness, or the state does not have a developed preventive programme.

With efficient education, by increasing the awareness in women, and with regular medical check-ups, the screening programmes would be more efficient and so would the percentage of recovery.

Ten years ago the European Federation for Colposcopy and Pathology of the Cervix was founded. It has had three Congresses so far. At the fourth Congress, which is being held in Belgrade, under the patronage of HE Mr. Boris Tadic, President of Serbia, about 30 lecturers are present and so are many participants from all over the world.

The Serbian Association for Colposcopy and Pathology of the Cervix, earlier known as the Department for Colposcopy and Pathology of the Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of Yugoslavia, was formed in 1995, and is very active.

Crown Princess Katherine had the pleasure to accept the invitaton and attend this event, not only because of the fact that she and her Foundation have devoted many activities to the health and welfare of women, but also because of the fact that recently, in cooperation with the HELLO! Magazine and the Color Press Group publishing company, a campaign for cervical cancer prevention was begun.

Crown Princess Katherine addressed the present: „I am very happy to be here and that I have the opportunity, along with my husband, Crown Prince Alexander II to support such an important conference. It is a great honour for our country and the city of Belgrade to be the host of the European Cervical Cancer Conference.

My Foundation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health has taken action towards cervical cancer prevention. I am pleased that we will have the support of the media, especially HELLO magazine. The problem strikes a large number of women in Serbia and requires a joint effort between government organisations, non profit organisations and the media. I hope this conference will help you obtain new information on how to treat this terrible illness. You can count on my husband and me”, concluded Crown Princess Katherine.