Addressing the Critical Gap in Women’s Cancer Prevention in Serbia: High Screening Awareness Versus Low Participation in Organized Screening Programmes

Bondžić V, Hofmarcher T

This study co-authored by Vesna Bondžić of Women’s Center “Milica” and IHE’s Thomas Hofmarcher highlights a gap between high screening awareness and low participation in organized breast and cervical cancer screening in Serbia.

An online survey of 1,133 women found that, among respondents in the breast-prevention subsample, 82% reported never receiving a screening invitation. Yet among invitees, 91% reported attending. In addition, published evidence indicates that programme-based cervical screening participation reached approximately 6% in 2023, compared with 63% self-reported participation in 2019. Final-dose HPV vaccination coverage was 4% among girls and 2% among boys in 2024.

The findings point to practical priorities: systematic invitations, easier appointment scheduling, reminders, and stronger communication about HPV prevention.

Journal of Gynecology Research Reviews & Reports, 2026; 8(10): 1-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47363/JGRRR/2026(8)272

Cite: Bondžić V, Hofmarcher T. Addressing the Critical Gap in Women’s Cancer Prevention in Serbia: High Screening Awareness Versus Low Participation in Organized Screening Programmes. Journal of Gynecology Research Reviews & Reports, 2026; 8(10): 1-5