World Gynecological Oncology Day (WGO DAY), which is celebrated every year on September 20, is dedicated to raising awareness about gynecological cancers and the importance of attending regular gynecological examinations for all women, and this year's main theme is removing the stigma associated with these cancers. Stigma leads to hesitation and fear of talking to a doctor about possible symptoms of the disease, resulting in the late detection of tumors that could have been prevented or treated earlier.
This day was founded in 2019 by the ESGO association. (European Society of Gynecological Oncology) and ENGAGED (European Organization of Gynecological Malignant Diseases Patients), and is being celebrated in Split for the first time. At the Clinic for Gynecological Diseases and Obstetrics of the Split Clinical Hospital Center, in co-organization with the Split County League against Cancer, on September 17, 2025, short lectures on the most common gynecological malignant diseases and a round table were held, which was attended by doctors with specializations related to these diseases: Dr. Ivica Stipic who is also the main organizer of the entire event, dr. Marko Jukić, Ph.D. Boris Delić, Ph.D. Boris Bačić, Ph.D. Sanja Srdelić, Ph.D. Aljosa Hocevar, Ph.D. Zdravko Odak, Ph.D. Viviana Matulić, Ph.D. Branka Petric Miše, Ph.D. Ivana Tica Sedlar i dr. Iva ČuturaThe roundtable participants include gynecology residents, nurses, as well as patients treated for these diseases who shared their experiences related to the entire treatment process, and representatives of the League for the Fight against Cancer. Tonkica Sinovčić.
The panel discussion focused on the prevention of these diseases and the importance of regular gynecological examinations, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that every patient receives the best possible diagnostics, therapy, and postoperative care and monitoring. The desire is, through events like these, to remove the stigma from gynecological cancers and help these patients live fulfilling lives.
Nada Milin, one of the patients, calls herself a miracle of medicine at the age of 62. "A year ago I was diagnosed with the last stage of ovarian cancer. Today I stand before you. The first surgery, the second surgery, chemotherapy. The doctors were my top support, they encouraged me not to lose heart and to push forward. Everything went well, like a miracle. I admit that I was not good at prevention, I came to the doctor at five in the afternoon. I had a lot of water in my stomach, I couldn't eat or drink. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have gone, and I wouldn't have survived. Prevention is the most important thing," she said.
Full of words of praise and gratitude for the staff of the Split hospital is Anka Daničić who was being treated for cervical cancer. "I had frequent infections, but I didn't do a regular PAP test. That was a big mistake. I was shocked when I found out about the diagnosis, it was really hard for me. But I told myself that I had to fight and I succeeded. Today I am a healthy and cheerful 64-year-old woman," she said, and today she claims that she pulled through, because it's right in front of us.
Split Gynecological Oncology has a quality team that performs even the most complex surgical procedures.
Split Gynecological Oncology is part of gynecological surgery and has a quality team of eight doctors who perform even the most complex surgical procedures using various surgical methods and techniques, and recently, robotic surgery.
"The gynecological oncology outpatient clinic is open every day throughout the morning and on Wednesday afternoons, and there is no waiting list for operations on gynecological malignant diseases, but they are performed in the shortest possible time. We have very good cooperation with pathologists and oncologists, and such a multidisciplinary approach gives each patient the best chance of cure. The most common gynecological cancers are uterine cancer (often called endometrial cancer), ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and somewhat less common vulvar cancer and vaginal cancer. All of them are not particularly well known to the general public. Patients may also be unaware of the meaning of some early symptoms or may be embarrassed to consult a doctor. The first symptoms often come late, which is why it is important for women to come for preventive gynecological examinations once a year, both when they have problems and when they do not. Unfortunately, gynecological diseases are still a topic that people are reluctant to talk about in public, because we are still a relatively conservative society. However, it is precisely conversation and awareness of prevention that save the day," said Dr. Ivica Stipic.
Tonkica Sinovčić, project manager at the County League Against Cancer, emphasized the importance of education and prevention. "We are trying to reach the general public and encourage women to go for check-ups. In the 21st century, regular gynecological check-ups are available to everyone and should not be feared. You should listen to your body and not neglect anything. Through the media, we invite people to take care of their health, because if something is discovered in time, it is much easier for doctors to treat it. We are here for advice and questions, and in our clinic we want patients to feel comfortable. We have open phones, a website and an e-mail, so I invite all women to contact us."
Endometrial cancer, or cancer of the lining of the uterus, is the most common gynecological cancer and its incidence is increasing, mainly due to the increasing incidence of obesity as the most important risk factor for developing this disease. There is currently no screening test for it, but treatment is very successful if detected in the early stages. The first symptom is usually abnormal vaginal bleeding, which usually occurs after menopause. Although most women with abnormal vaginal bleeding do not have uterine cancer, it is important to see a gynecologist as early as possible.
Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed in the later stages of the disease because its symptoms are non-specific, which is why the survival rate is significantly lower. There is currently no reliable screening method for it, which is why it is important to have regular gynecological examinations, where imaging methods such as ultrasound or CT and tests such as tumor markers can be used in the diagnosis.
Cervical cancer is most often caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Effective screening tests have long been available for it (PAPA test and HPV test), and its incidence has therefore been significantly reduced. Vaccination against HPV has also been available in our country since 2015. The first step in detection is usually an abnormal PAPA test. Preinvasive lesions and early stages of cancer usually do not cause any symptoms and can only be detected by attending regular gynecological examinations.
World Gynecological Oncology Day (WGO DAY) is celebrated in an increasing number of countries and an increasing number of organizations and individuals are joining them, aware of the need to raise awareness of the importance of gynecological cancers in global women's health. The campaign focuses on informing the public about the symptoms of various gynecological cancers and their prevention (perhaps most importantly), on the importance of early detection of the disease, encouraging women to go for preventive examinations, encouraging patients to talk to their doctor about their problems, destigmatizing these patients, raising awareness of patients' rights and education. Cooperation between doctors of various specialties, nurses, psychologists and the wider community is encouraged, because only in this way will patients receive the best health care and support with the aim of improving treatment outcomes and quality of life for women suffering from gynecological cancers. The Croatian coordinator for the event is Dr. Gabriela Sopta Primorac.
Photo: press
