By educating health professionals, pseudo-health professionals and the general public on the risks of melanoma, the project raised awareness on how and when this type of cancer can be detected and treated using modern methods and equipment.
Detecting and preventing melanoma in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro
- 18 September 2019
The project’s main achievement is the development of a strong network and the exchange of experiences between health experts during the project’s implementation. This has created the preconditions for the transfer of knowledge and joint activities and efforts in the future. Increased knowledge of health professionals and students will influence the quality of melanoma prevention, diagnostic and treatment services.
The MELAdetect project is improving the prevention and early detection of melanoma, a type of cancer that develops from pigment-containing cells in human skin and eyes. Led by university faculties and health institutes, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro organised information days and joint education and training workshops to highlight the importance of regular skin and ocular checks and follow-ups for people at a higher risk of developing melanoma and skin tumours.
Hospitals and universities from the region acquired modern equipment to better treat the disease. Through the development of a mobile e-health application, patients can track the development of skin and eye examinations, ask questions about melanoma and get answers from health experts.
Educating every stakeholder involved
The jointly developed education and training program consisted of five workshops held in the three countries involved: Bar, Montenegro; Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Zadar, Croatia. Lecturers and experts presented new methods of early detection, new treatment methods and ongoing studies on novel therapies, expanding the skills and knowledge of the participants. In total, 499 professionals attended the programs, including dermatologists, surgeons, oncologist, and psychologists.
Many pseudo-health professionals, such as hairdressers, beauticians, masseurs, pedicurists, and optometrists, attended the sessions as well. Pseudo-professionals come into contact with the skin and eyes of their clients, which is why it is important to educate them on recognising suspicious skin changes as soon as possible and making sure their clients visit a doctor.
These training programs have led to the creation of cross-border network of health professionals, which will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience and create more effective healthcare. A five-year plan has been created with actions for the entire cross-border region, aimed at upgrading public health services in the field of melanoma.
New tools, new methods, new equipment
More than 150 people have already registered to use mobile e-health application and received a free medical examination. The application is being used as a platform to disseminate information about melanoma and as an information forum where patients can ask questions of health professionals.
Through the project’s funding, the involved health institutes purchased modern equipment. The University of Zadar bought a new dermatoscope for the examination of skin lesions and an indirect ophthalmoscope, used for eye examinations. The General Hospital of Bar acquired a new dermatological system, a UV-B lamp to treat skin diseases and an indirect ophthalmoscope as well. The faculty of medicine at the Mostar University purchased a microscope, a UV measure radiometer and an automated scanning system that maps the entire body.
Detecting melanoma in its early stages is crucial for an effective treatment. Early detection of melanoma has a 95 % chance of effective treatment and survival. Detection in its late stages can often be fatal. By raising awareness on the importance of early detection and improving the region’s competence in treating the disease, the project has helped decrease the incidence rate significantly.
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MELAdetectTotal investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “MELAdetect - Early Detection of Skin, Mucosal and Ocular Melanoma” is EUR 652 427, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund and Instrument for Pre-Acession Assistance II contributing EUR 554 563 through the Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina - Montenegro 2014-2020. The investment falls under the priority “Improving the quality of the services in the public health and social care sector”.