Cervical cancer is the second most common female malignancy in Serbia, after breast cancer.  With an incidence of about 1,500 cases yearly, it is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the country. Compared with other European countries, the incidence of cervical cancer in Serbia is the highest.

While a simple screening test for cervical cancer (PAP smear – cervical cell in suspension are examined with a microscope next to the patient in just couple of minutes) has been associated with a sustained reduction in cervical cancer incidence and mortality, this method of cancer prevention in Serbia has relied on opportunistic screening that is characterized by an extremely low coverage in rural areas.

In the villages of Mali Iđoš, Lovćenac and Feketić, more than 4000 women are examined every year. However, because of a lack of a microscope, the most basic screening PAP smear examination has never been done.

See Serbia Trip Report by Dr. Ivan Aksentijevich. We also visited again HC in Mali Idjoš in September 2015. You can read our trip report.