The national cervical and gynaecological cancer prevention day, which marks the beginning of the European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, has been traditionally commemorated on the third Saturday of January, by a public health action known as the Mimosa Day. The aim of this action is the prevention of cervical cancer, by educating the public on its development, prevention and treatment.
Its incidence and mortality rate, as well as a series of etiological findings make cervical cancer a challenge of modern medicine and a significant public health problem both in developed and in developing countries. Due to current medical possibilities and public health, taking into account the capacities and skills in the prevention and early detection of this disease, no woman in the world should theoretically be diagnosed with this illness or die from it. Unfortunately, the reality is still disheartening. Each year, 500,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer globally, and almost 270,000 die from this disease. Most commonly, it affects women from the ages of 35 to 49.
The Mimosa Day was commemorated in all larger centres in Croatia, and was organised for the first time by the Croatian League Against Cancer and the non-governmental association "Zdrav(k)a".
JGL supported active implementation of the action in the city of Rijeka and the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County which was organised by the League Against Cancer of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and its Club "MIRTA" - women treated for gynaecological cancer, with the support of Department of Health and Social Welfare of the city of Rijeka, Public Health Teaching Institute, the city of Opatija, numerous volunteers, students and health care professionals.
Mimosas were chosen as a beautiful flower whose tenderness symbolises women, and by blooming in cold conditions it also shows strength and resilience that each woman should possess, particularly in regard to her health.