“A Check-up Doesn’t Hurt, But It Can Save a Life” – Specialists from Heart and Brain on a Mission to Prevent Breast Cancer

Heart and Brain is among the few medical centers in Bulgaria performing sentinel lymph node biopsy – the “gold standard” in breast cancer treatment.

A campaign dedicated to breast cancer prevention and awareness has been launched by specialists from the Comprehensive Cancer Center – Vratsa and ,Heart and Brain’, in cooperation with the Municipality of Vratsa.
The initiative includes free preventive check-ups, educational talks with patients and students, and public awareness activities. On this occasion, we spoke with Dr. Tsvetomir Ivanov, PhD, surgeon at the high-tech Heart and Brain Hospital in Pleven and one of the organizers of the campaign.

– Dr. Ivanov, tell us more about this initiative.
– We have been organizing this campaign for the third consecutive year – both in Vratsa and Pleven. This year, we decided to extend the initiative in duration and scope, adding not only preventive check-ups but also educational and awareness activities to improve public knowledge about the disease — such as when to begin screening, what tests are appropriate, what symptoms to watch for, and what the most common treatment approaches are.
I would like to thank the Municipality of Vratsa, the Bulgarian Society for the Fight Against Breast Cancer, and the Women Motorcyclists Association of Bulgaria for their support in organizing this campaign. I am also very pleased that colleagues from other medical institutions in the city joined us, which allows us to provide examinations for many more women.

– Does society still need such campaigns?
– Absolutely. At present, there is still no effective national breast cancer screening program in Bulgaria. Preventive check-ups are therefore extremely important, as they allow the disease to be detected at an early stage. Breast cancer is one of the few oncological diseases for which screening has been proven to significantly improve patient outcomes. Taking these facts into account, I believe it is our duty as doctors involved in treating this condition to focus public attention on prevention. Early detection truly can save lives.

– What should preventive check-ups include, and how often should they be performed?
– Screening aims to cover patients at the highest risk of developing the disease. In the EU, screening programs generally target women aged 50 to 75, while in the USA, screening now begins as early as age 40.
In both cases, screening includes annual breast ultrasound and mammography every two years. Ultrasound is a very effective examination – it has strong diagnostic value and is completely safe, which makes it suitable even for younger women. It’s also worth noting that MRI is increasingly being used in specific cases as a screening tool, based on the individual characteristics of the patient. At Heart and Brain, we use state-of-the-art equipment for both diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. We are proud that patients from all over the country seek our expertise, as we remain among the few centers in Bulgaria performing sentinel lymph node biopsy – the gold standard in surgical breast cancer treatment.

– How frightening is a breast cancer diagnosis?
– Like any oncological disease, breast cancer is serious, but it is important to know that it is absolutely treatable. The success of treatment depends on timely diagnosis – often made during preventive examinations – and on a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. Our surgical team has extensive experience, and we always work in a multidisciplinary environment, bringing together surgeons, oncologists, psychologists, cardiologists, geneticists, physiotherapists, and specialists in diagnostic imaging and radiology.
This collaboration significantly eases the patient’s journey, shortens the time between diagnosis and treatment initiation, and improves treatment outcomes. Time, as we know, is an especially precious resource.
We also maintain strong collaboration with general practitioners and outpatient specialists in Vratsa and other regions, ensuring continuity of care. As a surgeon, I can say that with the right comprehensive treatment, over 80% of patients can undergo breast-conserving surgery combined with sentinel biopsy, which is much less traumatic for the patient.

– Is breast cancer becoming more common among younger women?
– Unfortunately, yes – this trend is observed globally and in Bulgaria as well. This is one of the reasons why many countries are lowering the starting age for screening. My advice is for every woman over 30 to have an annual breast ultrasound until reaching the recommended screening age.

– Have you discovered complex cases during preventive campaigns?
– Yes – complex cases are part of our daily practice. During screening campaigns, we often identify cases that were previously asymptomatic. That’s the very goal of screening – to detect cancer before it becomes advanced.
Unfortunately, in Bulgaria, we still often see diagnoses made at later stages of the disease – not only for breast cancer but for other malignancies as well. Nevertheless, with the right treatment approach, excellent outcomes can still be achieved.

– Finally, what message would you like to share with our readers?
– I urge everyone to be responsible toward their health and that of their loved ones. Breast examinations are not painful, but they can solve many problems — and even save a life. Our team at Heart and Brain is here to provide the best possible care, and patients can fully trust us with their health.