Malignant diseases remain one of the leading causes of death worldwide with millions of new cases diagnosed each year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that more than 35 million people will develop cancer in 2050, a 77 percent increase from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022.
With World Cancer Day, February 4, dr. Maja Banjin, an oncologist with more than 30 years of experience, warns of the increasing number of people suffering from malignant diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina and says that, unfortunately, the environment is a fertile ground for the development of malignant diseases.
– In the last few years, we have seen an increase in the incidence of cancer, partly due to air pollution, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, alcohol and preventable infections, such as hepatitis B and C, and human papilloma virus (HPV) – points out Dr. Banjin for “Dnevni avaz”.
Women at risk
The incidence of cancer is on the rise, in BiH the most common forms of cancer are lung cancer, which is increasingly common in women, colon cancer in the younger population, breast cancer in middle-aged women, cervical cancer in young women, followed by melanoma and skin cancers.
– Cervical cancer often affects young women who appear in an advanced stage of the disease. By vaccinating against HPV, we make it possible for future generations to almost never get sick from this type of cancer – adds Banjin.
Waiting lists
Banjin also emphasizes that the risk of lung cancer no longer applies exclusively to men, but that women are recording more and more similar disease rates.
The problem is also the lack of a national registry of cancer patients, which makes it difficult to plan treatment and monitor the trend of the disease:
– There is no strategy that would enable quality planning and distribution of resources. Waiting lists for therapies are long, and the list of medicines of the Solidarity Fund in the Federation has not been renewed for seven years. This means that patients who do not have money are often left to fend for themselves – said Dr. Banjin.
According to her, colon cancer is becoming more common in the younger population, which further warns of the need for early examinations and preventive measures.
– Unfortunately, many citizens still do not use preventive examinations, even though they save lives. Lifestyle factors play a key role and they can be prevented – emphasized Dr. Banjin.
Lifestyle change
In addition to medical challenges, long-term chronic stress in which BiH residents live also contributes to the increase in morbidity.
– Our generation lived a period of peace and security, and now it is growing up in an unstable society. This leaves long-term health consequences and increases the risk of malignant diseases – explains Dr. Banjin.
According to her, colon cancer is becoming more common in the younger population, which further warns of the need for early examinations and preventive measures.
– Unfortunately, many citizens still do not use preventive examinations, even though they save lives. Lifestyle factors play a key role and they can be prevented – emphasized Dr. Banjin.
Lifestyle change
In addition to medical challenges, long-term chronic stress in which BiH residents live also contributes to the increase in morbidity.
– Our generation lived a period of peace and security, and now it is growing up in an unstable society. This leaves long-term health consequences and increases the risk of malignant diseases – explains Dr. Banjin, it says Avaz.
