Since the 1990s, October has been globally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, known as “Pink October.” Throughout the month, individuals and organizations worldwide wear the pink ribbon as a symbol of solidarity and a reminder of the importance of prevention, timely screening, and early diagnosis of breast cancer, the second most commonly diagnosed cancer globally.
To mark this occasion, the University Clinical Center Tuzla held a press conference highlighting the achievements of the Breast Center and presenting newly acquired medical equipment.
Participants in the press conference included Prof. Dr. Svjetlana Mujagić, Head of the Clinic for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine; Prim. Dr. Mensura Burina, Coordinator of the Breast Center; Prof. Dr. Šefika Umihanić, Head of the Clinic for Oncology and Radiotherapy; Prim. Dr. Dijana Koprić, Head of the Oncology Department; Prof. Dr. Ermina Iljazović, Head of the Department of Pathology; and Prof. Dr. Adi Rifatbegović, Head of the Clinic for Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery.
According to Prof. Dr. Svjetlana Mujagić, Head of the Clinic for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, the Clinic has recently received a highly sophisticated digital mammography system, funded by the Government of the Tuzla Canton. The installation of this advanced device enables exceptionally precise breast cancer diagnostics while using a minimal dose of radiation.
“This system is also equipped with an automatic contrast agent injector and a radiological diagnostic workstation, which will enable us to perform additional diagnostic procedures such as contrast- enhanced mammography, tomosynthesis, and stereotactic imaging in the near future. In addition to the new mammogram, a dedicated breast MRI has been acquired for cases in which ultrasound and mammography are insufficient to fully characterize a detected lesion,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Mujagić.
Since 2016, the Clinic for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine has operated a Breast Center that applies a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The center’s expert team includes a radiologist, pathologist, clinical oncologist, oncological surgeon, radiation oncologist, and clinical pharmacologist, ensuring comprehensive and coordinated patient care.
“The multidisciplinary team, through the medical council, develops individualized diagnostic and treatment protocols for each patient, with the goal of shortening the time from diagnosis to the initiation of therapy. Last year, a total of 2,400 mammograms, 5,930 ultrasound examinations, 293 fine- needle aspiration biopsies, and 366 core needle biopsies under ultrasound guidance were performed at our center, while 150 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed,” said Prim. Dr. Mensura Burina, Coordinator of the Breast Center.
On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Šefika Umihanić, Head of the Clinic for Oncology and Radiotherapy, presented statistical data related to breast cancer diagnoses at the University Clinical Center Tuzla. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 106 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed; in 2021, 145; in 2022, 153; and in 2023, 178 cases. In 2024, a slight decrease of 2.3% was recorded in the number of newly diagnosed patients.
In the analysis by age groups, the 60–70 age group accounted for the largest proportion of patients (31%), followed by women aged 50–60 years (22.7%).
“When analyzing the distribution of disease stages, we found that patients diagnosed in stages I A and II A were the most represented. This indicates effective screening and early detection, which are key factors for achieving the best possible treatment outcomes,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Umihanić.
Breast cancer treatment is a complex process that often requires the application of multiple therapeutic modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and radiotherapy.
Prim. Dr. Dijana Koprić, Head of the Oncology Department at the Clinic for Oncology and Radiotherapy, emphasized that determining the appropriate treatment approach depends on the clinical and pathohistological characteristics of each individual tumor.
Prof. Dr. Ermina Iljazović presented to the media the activities of the Department of Pathology within the Polyclinic for Laboratory Diagnostics at UKC Tuzla, where prognostic, predictive, therapeutic, and molecular tests, as well as molecular classification of breast cancer, are routinely performed to guide precise and personalized therapy.
At the Clinic for Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, UKC Tuzla performs comprehensive breast surgery, encompassing oncological, reconstructive, and aesthetic procedures.
“The results would be far less successful without a strong multidisciplinary team , starting from the Breast Center, the Department of Pathology, the Clinic for Oncology and Radiotherapy, and finally the Clinic for Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, all working together in close cooperation with the patient. Each patient has the right to participate in the decision-making process and to choose the treatment method they feel most comfortable with and can best tolerate,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Adi Rifatbegović.
As part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities, members of the multidisciplinary team also held a series of expert lectures highlighting the importance of breast cancer prevention and early detection.
