The national cervical cancer screening programme ZORA hosted a two-day study visit by a delegation from Ukraine. The visitors came to Slovenia to learn about the principles and key factors behind the success of Slovenia’s organised cancer screening programmes, ZORA (for cervical cancer) and DORA (for breast cancer).
Their main goal was to gain insight into how such programmes are structured, managed, and continuously improved. Cervical cancer remains a significant health problem in Ukraine, and the experiences shared by Slovenian experts offered valuable guidance and inspiration for building a sustainable and effective national screening system.
During the visit, the Ukrainian experts were introduced to both screening programmes in detail. At the DORA programme headquarters, they learned about the evolution, organisation, and governance of the national breast cancer screening programme. Presentations covered quality assurance, participation rates, communication strategies, and the role of radiographers in maintaining high standards of care.
At the ZORA programme, participants were introduced to the transition from opportunistic to organised cervical cancer screening, the programme’s governance and performance indicators, and the centralised screening registry. They also visited a community health centre to observe how screening is implemented in practice. On the second day, sessions focused on the ZORA screening pathway (from invitation to follow-up), the role of healthcare providers in ensuring programme safety and effectiveness, and the methodological guidelines used for monitoring and reporting screening results.
The visit concluded with a presentation on public education and community engagement for cervical cancer elimination, highlighting Slovenia’s approach to raising awareness and motivating participation among women.
