As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, health institutions and professionals in the field have emphasized the importance of early identification of this disease, calling for regular checkups and health education among the population.
The Director of the Oncology Clinic at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo (UCCK), Ilir Kurtishi, stated that during this year a similar number of new cases has been registered to the previous year, with over 320 cases registered in the first nine months of this year.
Kurtishi, for KosovaPress, emphasized that this year three men have been identified and treated at the Oncology Clinic.
"This year we have registered the same number for the first nine months of 2025 as in 2024, around 320-330 patients. We have a plateau in terms of the incidence of new cases of breast cancer, it is worth noting that this year we have identified and treated three men who have received oncological treatment in our clinic," said Kurtishi.
He emphasized that early diagnosis plays a key role in successful treatment and increasing life expectancy in patients.
Also worrying, according to him, is the incidence of breast cancer at younger ages. Kurtishi said that in the last three years, it has been affecting women aged 40-50.
"The key to successful treatment of this disease is precisely the early identification of the disease, especially in stage zero or one, where the life expectancy of patients is very high. In the last two or three years, we have had women attacked with breast cancer, with a higher number than in previous years, from the age of 40-50, which is a similar phenomenon to the countries of the region, especially Albania and North Macedonia. It must be done and instilled in the mind to have a proper health education, that we should do a breast check without any signs or changes, but a check when the breast is not diseased," he underlined.
Meanwhile, regarding reports about the lack of immunological therapy, Kurtishi clarified that the supply has been regular except for a short period.
According to him, the number of patients is increasing and that treatments with this therapy are expensive.
"Immunological therapy at the Oncology Clinic is given to cases that have an indication. The supply has been regular except for a very short period, but patients receive this therapy for a long time. The number of patients is increasing, treatments with this therapy are expensive and the number of patients who need this therapy are regularly supplied and treated with these drugs," said Kurtishi.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Health, in a written response to KosovaPress, announced that this year, a series of activities have been undertaken to raise awareness about breast cancer, including free mammography and mobile mammography in municipalities without access to this service.
"The Ministry of Health, this year too, in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, has undertaken a series of activities aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer. One of the main actions is the provision of free mammography throughout Kosovo. For the first time last year, this service was also implemented in the northern municipalities. Given that early diagnosis is one of the key factors for more successful and complete treatment, this year too a mobile mammography has been organized, which will serve in municipalities where mammography services are lacking. Also, during this month, the National Institute of Breast Cancer will hold informative and educational lectures to increase knowledge about this disease," the Ministry of Health said in a written response.
The Ministry calls on women to consult the official websites of the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Breast Cancer for the mammography calendar and to perform mammography according to medical indications./kp/
