"Nov Zivot" - Stip

The life with a "breast cancer" diagnosis

On 24 June 2004, the association for fight against malignant diseases "Nov Zivot" from Stip organized a tribune that marked the end of the implementation of the project called "How to learn to live with a breast cancer diagnosis?"

The goal of the tribune was to influence the medical staff to change their attitude towards people who suffer malignant diseases, especially towards those diagnosed with a breast cancer and encourage women to do their check-ups more regularly, since, according to the so-far experiences, the only way to fight the breast cancer is its early diagnosing.

The tribune was divided into two parts. In the first part, the publication called "My story" was promoted. It is a testimony of the life stories of 10 women who were faced with the "breast cancer" diagnosis.

"I feel that now we are making the right step to touch the women who had or have a breast cancer", says the "Nov Zivot" president, Violeta Eftimova.

"The discussion started spontaneously and informally", says Eftimova, "and it was really hard at times to stop the tears provoked by the life stories of the present. I think they realized how important it is not to hide the disease and overcome the fear that the environment will discard them just because they have a breast cancer".

The film on steps for doing a self-breast check-up was shown to more than 70 women present at the tribune. This video material, that the Ministry of Health provided from an association for fight against malignant diseases from Ljubljana, Slovenia, has been shown for the first time in Macedonia. It conveyed the essential message: "Do not fear to examine your breasts looking for a disease - examine them and confirm your health!".

 

G.J.