Guidelines for breast cancer management in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Lejla Hadžikadić-Gušić; Timur Cerić; Inga  Marijanović; Ermina  Iljazović; Dijana  Koprić; Anela  Zorlak; Mahira  Tanović; Alma  Mekić-Abazović; Ibrahim  Šišić; Una  Delić; Jasminka  Mustedanagić-Mujanović; Alija  Aginčić; Edin  Bećiragić; Frederick  Greene

doi:10.17305/bjbms.2022.7504

Authors

Lejla Hadžikadić-Gušić Department of Surgical Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9652-812X
Timur Cerić Department of Medical Oncology, University Clinical Center, Sarajevo, BiH
Inga Marijanović Department of Medical Oncology, University Clinical Center, Mostar, BiH https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8777-9832
Ermina Iljazović Department of Pathology, University Clinical Center, Tuzla, BiH https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8584-3351
Dijana Koprić Department of Pathology, University Clinical Center, Tuzla, BiH https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4201-9709
Anela Zorlak Genetics Counseling, Genetika, Sarajevo, BiH https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2956-5219
Mahira Tanović Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Advanced Plastic Surgery of North Shore, NY, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4781-5306
Alma Mekić-Abazović Department of Medical Oncology, Kanton Hospital Zenica, Zenica, BiH
Ibrahim Šišić Department of Medical Oncology, Kanton Hospital Zenica, Zenica, BiH https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3185-2500
Una Delić Department of Medical Oncology, University Clinical Center, Sarajevo, BiH
Jasminka Mustedanagić-Mujanović Department of Pathology, University Clinical Center, Tuzla, BiH https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7277-0635
Alija Aginčić Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Our Little Clinic, Sarajevo, BiH
Edin Bećiragić Department of Surgery, Dr. Abdulah Nakas General Hospital, Sarajevo, BiH
Frederick Greene Department of Surgical Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2022.7504

Keywords:

Breast cancer, Bosnia and Hercegovina, treatment, guidelines, consortium, breast, multi-disciplinary

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, accurate data on the status of breast cancer are lacking due to the absence of a central registry. Multiple international guidelines imply that institutions that monitor breast cancer patients should have optimal therapeutic options for treatment. In addition, there have been several international consensus guidelines written on the management of breast cancer. Application of consensus guidelines has previously been demonstrated to have a positive influence on breast cancer care. The importance of specialty breast centers has previously been reported. As part of the 2021 Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS) conference in Mostar, a round table of multidisciplinary specialists from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the diaspora was held. All were either members of BHAAAS or regularly participate in collaborative projects. The focus of the consortium was to write the first multidisciplinary guidelines for the general management of breast cancer in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Guidelines were developed for each area of breast cancer treatment and management. These guidelines will serve as a resource for practitioners managing breast cancer in the Bosnia and Herzegovina region. This might also be of benefit to the ministry of health and any future investors interested in developing breast cancer care policies in this region of the world.