Free Skin Checks Save Lives Among Zagreb Craftspeople

An initiative offering free skin checks has proven highly successful and beneficial for the health of members of the Association of Craftsmen of the City of Zagreb. The event, held on May 25th and 26th, saw over 520 craftspeople take advantage of the opportunity for preventative screenings.

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Preventative screenings are a very good thing, but our national prevention should not be based solely on occasional actions. Education of citizens is also important. People need to be responsible for their health.

The action was organized in collaboration with the Association for the Prevention of Tumors and Other Skin Diseases "Healthy Under the Sun." Skin cancer is identified as one of the most common forms of cancer in Croatia. Annually, approximately one thousand people are diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous and aggressive type of skin cancer. However, early detection significantly improves survival rates, with over ninety percent of patients surviving if diagnosed in the early stages, compared to less than thirty percent in later stages.

Dr. Marija Buljan, president of "Healthy Under the Sun" and a specialist in dermatological oncology, emphasized the importance of preventative screenings but stressed that national prevention efforts should not rely solely on occasional events. She highlighted the need for ongoing public education and individual responsibility. This includes avoiding excessive sun exposure, using sunscreen, and performing monthly self-examinations of the scalp, body, genital area, and mouth.

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This includes not exposing oneself to the sun excessively, using sunscreen, and examining one's scalp, body, genital area, and mouth monthly. It is important to notice new changes in time, especially if they have irregular borders, darker color, or unusual sores that do not heal for weeks.

Buljan advised individuals to be vigilant for new changes, particularly those with irregular borders, darker colors, or unusual sores that do not heal. She noted the "ugly duckling" sign, where one mole stands out from others in color or shape, as a potential indicator. Prompt consultation with a family doctor is recommended for any observed changes to determine if a dermatologist referral is necessary and how urgent it might be.

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In people who have many moles, one may appear that is different in color and shape from others, and this is called the ugly duckling sign. If any changes are noticed, it is important to contact a family doctor so they can determine if a dermatologist needs to be consulted and how urgent it is.

The screenings yielded significant findings: three individuals under 45 were urgently referred for further diagnostic tests due to suspected melanoma. Additionally, eight people were diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, and over fifty cases of atypical moles were identified, underscoring the value of such preventative health campaigns.

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With such screenings, we actually take better care of our health, especially now as summer approaches. I also have a lot of moles, so this is important to me.