Health awareness focuses on early detection of cervical and pancreatic cancers

Health reports in Slovenia highlight the challenges of detecting cervical and pancreatic cancers in their early stages. Cervical cancer, which accounts for approximately 1.5% of new cancer cases in Slovenia, is often linked to high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, specifically types 16 and 18. While the disease typically develops slowly through precancerous changes, symptoms such as unusual bleeding or pelvic pain may not appear until the cancer has progressed. Slovenia has operated the ZORA organized screening program for cervical cancer since 2003.

Pancreatic cancer is noted for its high mortality rate due to the difficulty of early detection, as the organ is located deep within the body. In Slovenia, approximately 400 people are currently living with the diagnosis. Risk factors include age over 50, smoking, obesity, and chronic inflammation. Early warning signs can include weight loss, fatigue, and anxiety, while later symptoms may include painless jaundice caused by tumor pressure on the bile duct.