Screening with mammography organized by family physicians teams: what have we learnt?

The mammography, recommended as standard method for screening on breast cancer, can reveal suspicious lesions early enough to anable cancer elimination in entirely. Experience with women of the target population, 50-69 years old, included in the mass screening programs, show the reduction in the specific mortality by 30%. One of the main problem in organizing the preventive programs is how to increase responsiveness of subjects to screening. In the study, based on the large sample of over 1000 of subjects and 20 family medicine practices, included in the investigation, we showed that it is possible, by a pro-active involvement of family physicians teams and intensive educational and motivational activities, to achieve high level of over 80% of responsiveness to mammography screening. Analysis of the reasons of nonresponsiveness can contribute to better understanding of the mental processes included in a self-decision making. This, as the final aim, can help family physicians in their efforts to overcome many hidden barriers which obstruct their patients to accept the mammography screening.

A view at the future--a dynamical, protocol-based and computationally intensive approach in cardiovascular risk assessment

Knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors is increasing. At the same time, risk estimation becomes more and more difficult. The need for a more comprehensive, but more individually based approach is evident. To achieve this aim, we propose a systems biology approach in cardiovascular risk assessment. This means that a large amount of health data, describing many aspects of the health-status of patients, is collected and computed and the results are compared with existing knowledge. Finally, a clinical model is created, which can be the first step in ongoing research protocol, aimed at assessing cardiovascular risk. By using this approach, all potentially relevant risk factors can be identified on a small sample. Moreover, risk groups can be more specifically defined, based on the "natural" clustering of data, according to their predictive load. We tested this possibility on an example of hyperhomocysteinemia which is a well-known complex cardiovascular risk factor.

Psycho-social aspects of measures aimed at decreasing prevalence of chronic diseases in the population of returnees in the Osijek Region, Croatia

Recognizing high prevalence of Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disorders and low coverage by preventive examinations in the population of returnees, in Osijek Region, we initiated activities for early detection and better managing of chronic diseases. Measures done, were based on public health working methods, such as: education, solidarity and self-responsibility. A special attention was put on psychosocial aspects of the health-related matters. Exactly, free glucose tests were organized with subsequent healthy lifestyles advice session. It was brought to our attention that such intervention should be as much as possible individually oriented, considering many personal and social characteristics of an individual. Gynecological examinations for all women interested in were also organized. On that occasion, women were interviewed in order to get information about their motivation and obstacles for doing preventive examinations and difficulties in adaptation as well. Finally, outcomes of the Project were summarized and put in a larger social context.