Violeta Ivković, a cervical cancer survivor in Serbia
“It takes time for cancer patients to realise what they're really up against," said Violeta Ivković.
Thirty years ago, Ms. Ivković, from Belgrade, Serbia, was a working mother with three small children, when she was diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer.
”I went to the gynaecologist every six months,” said Ms. Ivković. “Fortunately, the cancer was discovered in time. I had therapy, a radical hysterectomy, then radiation treatment.”
In 2022, the Government of Serbia made vaccination free of charge for children and young people of both sexes between 9 and 19 years old. UNFPA continues to assist Serbia to organize and promote screening and vaccination across the country.
Ms. Ivković is in no doubt that parents should make sure their children are vaccinated.
"Prevention is fantastic,” said Violeta. “If the HPV vaccination existed 30 years ago, we would not be sitting here talking about this now. After what I went through, my children do not question whether they will vaccinate their own children.”
Photo credit: Serbia_2024_Vladimir Zivojinovic
Violeta Ivković, a cervical cancer survivor in Serbia
“It takes time for cancer patients to realise what they're really up against," said Violeta Ivković.
Thirty years ago, Ms. Ivković, from Belgrade, Serbia, was a working mother with three small children, when she was diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer.
”I went to the gynaecologist every six months,” said Ms. Ivković. “Fortunately, the cancer was discovered in time. I had therapy, a radical hysterectomy, then radiation treatment.”
In 2022, the Government of Serbia made vaccination free of charge for children and young people of both sexes between 9 and 19 years old. UNFPA continues to assist Serbia to organize and promote screening and vaccination across the country.
Ms. Ivković is in no doubt that parents should make sure their children are vaccinated.
"Prevention is fantastic,” said Violeta. “If the HPV vaccination existed 30 years ago, we would not be sitting here talking about this now. After what I went through, my children do not question whether they will vaccinate their own children.”
Photo credit: Serbia_2024_Vladimir Zivojinovic