SECOND CONFERENCE ON BREAST CANCER SCREENING

Belgrade, September 25th 2009 – Today under the patronage of Serbian Ministry of Health, the opening of the second conference on breast cancer screening 25-26 September, took place at the Crystal Room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Belgrade.

The conference is taking place with the Serbian Institute of Oncology and Radiology, the Serbian Medical Chamber, HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation, Charity Foundation Katarina Rebraca and the Serbian Women’s Health Initiative. Thanks to expert help, advice and cooperation of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering from New York, United States this important conference is taking place.

Participants at the Conference are the most eminent foreign and local experts in regard to screening and breast cancer prevention. Taking into consideration the fact that in Serbia there is an extremely high rate of breast cancer, as well as a high annual mortality rate, the holding of this conference is of extreme importance for radiology development as a whole, as well as the prevention of this terrible disease. Among other things, the media and non-government organizations role will be appointed in helping to raise women’s awareness and information about early discovery and treatment.

The following addressed the conference at the opening: Dr Tomislav Stanic, State Secretary in the Ministry of Health, HRH Crown Princess Katherine, Mrs. Svetlana Vrga on behalf of Prof. Slavica Djukic – Dejanovic, Speaker of the House, Dr Zlatko Beslagic, Deputy Director of the Republic Health Insurance Fund, Prof. Dr. Nenad Borojevic, Director of the Serbian Institute of Oncology and Radiology, Dr. Tatjana Radosavljevic, Director of Serbian Medical Chamber, Prof. Dr. Dragana Jovanovic, Health Secretary of the City of Belgrade, Mrs. Katarina Rebraca, Dr Bojana Milosevic, Women’s Health Initiative, Mr. George Sofianu, Mr. Veran Matic, President of the Board of Directors of RTV B92 and Professor Hedvig Hricak – Director of Radiology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, New York, United States.

“This problem is serious in our country, and therefore we all need to work on the improving the situation. Only with the united action, I am certain, we can reduce the mortality rate of this terrible disease and give our women a chance to discover breast cancer in time and get treatment” – said Crown Princess Katherine in her speech.

After the initial speeches and introductory lectures of guest professors from the Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York followed. Professor Hricak spoke about the role of imaging in personalized medicine; Dr. Carol Lee lectured about the theme “Patience selection for imaging guided breast biopsy “, while Dr. David Dershaw spoke about the theme of Evaluations extent of tumour in the breast with imaging .

Their Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine will host a reception for participants of this very important medical conference at the White Palace tonight at 7:00pm tomorrow, the second day of conference, there will be discussion of implementing the programme for early breast cancer discovery in Serbia, percut biopsies under control of mammography, as well as breast cancer mutations.