The national program for the early detection and treatment of premalignant and malignant diseases of the lower genital system in women

Lower genital tract malignancies are often seen in our female population; their detection is often delayed and treatment fails frequently. Latest scientific data on their etiology and newer methods of their detection and treatment in the early stages opens roads in the field of primary and secondary prevention and for the effective therapy, as well. In order to improve current status of the women's health in this field, on October 10, 1995 year, the Section for cervical pathology and colposcopy in addition to Yugoslav Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (UGOJ), has been established. One of the most important aims of the Section is introduction of premalignant and malignant diseases of female lower genital tract. So far, the Section has: 1. Submitted the Program proposal to the Ministry of Health of Serbia; on the basis of that proposal, on April 10, 1996 year, the Ministry issued: "Expert instruction for the conduction of assignments aimed at early detection of the cancer of the uterine cervix". In that act obligatory for all health institutions, that have gynecology depts, all activities and goals for National Program introduction are prescribed. 2. The Yugoslav School for pathology of the cervix, vagina, vulva and colposcopy, opened in 1996, year, under the patronage of the Ministry of Health of the Republic Serbia provides the theoretical and practical training for the Program carriers and medical doctors receiving their training in gynecology and obstetrics. The first generation, the School attendees consisted of 149 doctors from the entire country. 3. Creation and submission of a draft common Health Form intended for the computerized and professional use, to provide for more efficient introduction of the National Program. The Form, should be introduced by the Health Ministry as an Official Health Document, to be used by all OBG institutions. 4. Submitted proposal of the activities and tasks in the field of Program realisation according to Health institutions' profiles. 5. Creation of the draft Protocol for actual activities and procedures in order to provide for an early detection and treatment of premalignant and malignant diseases of the female lower genital tract. Having the future mandatory character of this Protocol, the Section will divulge it to the professional audience. 6. Created a project of the National program and submitted it at the beginning of 1996 year, to the Republic Bureau of Health protection, with a request for its financial support in that program. In addition to the activities mentioned, the section management undertook and is taking measures for faster achievement of the aim-of the National Program introduction. Official Health institutions are assigned responsibilities of the Program introduction, the funding and a resolve all the legal, organisational and financial issues. Results that we are expected from this Program include introduction of the primary and secondary measures aimed at disease prevention; early detection of the diseases and its treatment; reduction of the numbers of cases in the advanced stages; significant improvement of gynecological status, and reduction of costs of the treatment of advanced stages of disease. The results should stimulate all, and become must for all subjects involved in the National Program realisation. The Program introduction into the daily OBG practice is a prerequisite of already well established practice in a number of countries, saving life and limb of most women affected by the lower genital tract malignancies.