1st Symposium on Colorectal Cancer in Osijek Exceptionally Well Attended
On Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, at the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health in Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek, the 1st Symposium with International Participation entitled "Colorectal Cancer" was exceptionally well attended, led by Prof. Robert Smolić, MD, PhD, Director of the Mursa Medical Center, and Prof. Aleksandar Včev, MD, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek. The symposium was organized by the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek and the Mursa Medical Center, in co-organization with the Croatian Society for Precision (Personalized) Medicine of the Croatian Medical Association, the Croatian Gastroenterological Society, the Croatian Medical Association - Osijek Branch, and the Osijek-Baranja County Teaching Institute for Public Health.
Prof. Vlado Guberac, PhD, Rector of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, opened the symposium and emphasized the importance of such gatherings in raising awareness of public health problems and improving healthcare.
The main topic of the symposium was raising awareness of the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer. Experts pointed out that the number of patients remains high, while the response to regular examinations and preventive measures is devastating.
Multidisciplinary approach and the necessity of preventive examinations
The plenary roundtable discussion, which was attended by: Assoc. Prof. Senka Samardžić, MD, PhD, Prof. Robert Smolić, MD, PhD, Assist. Prof. Josip Samardžić, MD, PhD, Prof. Branko Dmitrović, MD, PhD, Assist. Prof. Josipa Flam, MD, PhD, Assist. Prof. Tajana Turk, MD, PhD and Prof. Ervin Alibegović, MD, PhD on the topic of a multidisciplinary approach to patients with colon cancer, was extremely interesting and useful. Eminent experts with many years of experience in screening, diagnostics and therapy of patients with colon cancer presented their views and recommendations.
Gastroenterologist Prof. Robert Smolić warned about the problem of late detection of the disease, which significantly increases mortality. "People still find it difficult to decide to have a colonoscopy, but it is a short examination that can save lives," Smolić emphasized.
The Vice-Dean for Education and Students of the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health in Osijek, Prof. Branko Dmitrović, agreed with the statements made and added that statistics show that for every early stage of cancer detected, one patient is diagnosed with an already advanced form of the disease.
Translational medicine - are there any new developments in the diagnostics, therapy and care of patients with colon cancer
The second part of the symposium was dedicated to translational medicine, focusing on new developments in the diagnostics, therapy and care of patients with colon cancer, which was opened by the Vice-Dean for Science and Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Martina Smolić, MD, PhD, who emphasized the importance of continuous development and application of new methods in the diagnostics and treatment of this disease.
Conclusions and guidelines for the future
The symposium ended with recommendations on the importance of preventive examinations and the standardization of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in all medical centers. Experts emphasized that regular examinations and early screening are key to reducing mortality from colon cancer.
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and organizers and numerous participants expressed hope that this symposium will become a traditional gathering of experts and medical professionals with the aim of improving healthcare and increasing awareness of this serious disease.
