Early diagnosis of colon cancer is crucial for successful treatment, and preventive screenings can save lives. Faculty members of the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek participated in a public health campaign at the Ante Starčević Square in Osijek, marking March as Colon Cancer Awareness Month. The aim of the event was to inform citizens about the importance of preventive screenings and the early detection of the disease.
On behalf of the Faculty, the initiative was led by Prof. Robert Smolić, MD, PhD, Head of the Department of Clinical Medicine at FDMZ and Director of the Mursa Medical Center. During the event, citizens were provided with information about risk factors, symptoms, and modern diagnostic methods, with particular emphasis on the importance of actively participating in preventive health screenings.
Special emphasis was placed on the importance of preventive colonoscopy – a procedure that enables the timely detection and removal of polyps, changes in the intestinal mucosa that can develop into malignant tumors over time. It was highlighted that gastroenterological examinations, including endoscopic procedures and polyp removal, can also be performed at the Mursa Medical Center, a healthcare institution owned by the Faculty, where modern diagnostic and therapeutic methods are applied.
Prof. Robert Smolić emphasized that modern gastroenterology has seen significant technological advances – from advanced endoscopic equipment to the use of artificial intelligence in detecting precancerous changes and polyps – contributing to earlier and more accurate disease detection.
The topic of early detection of digestive system diseases is also an important part of the Faculty’s scientific research activities. Prof. Smolić is the principal investigator of the NPOO project PRIM-JET, which focuses on improving diagnostics and screening for liver diseases and precancerous changes in the colon through the application of modern diagnostic approaches.
By participating in public health initiatives such as this, faculty members of the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek reaffirm their strong commitment to connecting scientific research, clinical practice, and public education, with the goal of earlier disease detection, more effective prevention, and improved health outcomes.
From the media:
https://glas-slavonije.hr/osijek/2026/03/07/i-rak-debelog-crijeva-je-izlijeciv-ako-se-na-vrijeme-otkrije-750784/
