Bosnia and Herzegovina will soon establish its first specialized society dedicated to breast cancer—SIS Bosnia and Herzegovina, the national branch of the global organization Senological International Society (SIS)—marking a new chapter in oncology and women's healthcare in the country. SIS is a worldwide federation bringing together more than one hundred scientific and professional societies, associations, and groups from all five continents, with a core mission focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of breast diseases. This initiative is the result of the dedicated work of Dr. Lejla Hadžikadić Gušić, a prominent oncologic surgeon at the Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, USA, and a member of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS).
“Membership in SIS provides opportunities for continuous professional development, exchange of knowledge and experience, and the application of the latest global standards in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the benefit of all patients,” says Dr. Hadžikadić Gušić, adding that the leadership and work of the society will be organized using existing clinical resources. The project will be funded through the Levine Cancer Institute Bosnian Medical Education Fund, and its long-term goal is the establishment of an independent Bosnian Senological Society that will unite experts from across the country to improve prevention, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer. The initiative has also received full support from the BHAAAS Board of Directors, an organization that has for years brought together local and international professionals committed to strengthening science, medicine, and education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The founding of SIS Bosnia and Herzegovina represents a major milestone for oncology and women’s health in the country, as it enables access to the latest knowledge, professional exchange, and the implementation of high standards in diagnostics and breast cancer therapy.
According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women globally—with over 2.3 million new cases each year. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, more than 1,300 women are diagnosed annually, with numbers continuing to rise.
The initiative to establish a senological society in Bosnia and Herzegovina represents a strong incentive to improve women’s healthcare. This important topic will also be addressed during the upcoming BHAAAS Days, taking place from June 19–22, 2025 at Hotel Holiday Sarajevo, during the International Symposium on Breast Cancer Management, with a special focus on young women, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lejla Hadžikadić Gušić.
Previously recognized for her work on developing breast cancer treatment guidelines in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Hadžikadić Gušić laid the groundwork for a standardized and modern approach to this disease in the country. Additionally, she regularly shares her expertise with physicians in BiH to help improve therapy and prevention, especially in more complex breast cancer cases.
“Breast cancer is a disease with increasing survival rates, and I believe that through education of both physicians and patients, we can significantly contribute to further improving this trend,” concludes Dr. Hadžikadić Gušić.
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