Cancer is one of the biggest health problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the latest data show a worrying trend of growth in the number of patients. Experts warn that as much as a quarter of BiH residents die from malignant diseases, while the number of new cases has increased by about 50 percent in the last ten years.
These worrisome data were pointed out at the symposium marking World Cancer Day, which was held at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Mostar. On that occasion, prof. Ph.D. Antonio Sesar pointed out for Večernji list that the increase in the number of patients is evident throughout the country.
Data from the Institute of Public Health of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton also show a steady increase in the number of patients. Thus, in 2017, 501 newly diagnosed persons were recorded, while in 2024, 620 new cases of malignant diseases were registered.
Doctors point out that cancer most often occurs in the elderly, but in recent years an increase in the number of patients under the age of 50 has also been noticed.
The most common forms of cancer in Bosnia and Herzegovina are breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women, while lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death, especially in men.
Experts emphasize that the increase in the number of patients is influenced by numerous factors. Among the most important are smoking, unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of physical activity, alcohol consumption, genetic predispositions and environmental influences.
Experts pay special attention to food safety. Food can be exposed to various biological, chemical and physical pollution during production, processing and distribution, which in the long run can increase the risk of various diseases, including certain types of cancer.
That is why doctors emphasize that prevention is key in the fight against malignant diseases. Regular preventive examinations, such as mammography, Pap test, colon examination and lung examination in risk groups, can enable early detection of the disease and significantly increase the chances of successful treatment.
In addition to preventive examinations, a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, smoking cessation and regular physical activity are also important, which can significantly reduce the risk of developing many diseases, writes the Black Chronicle.
