In 2006 we established the Kosovo Center for fighting Breast Cancer "JETA / VITA" with the a great intention and except many challenges, we reached our goal, that of sending information about breast cancer in every home, to every woman...with live speeches, with information from medical experts, with leaflets, brochures, workshops, in all municipalities of Kosovo, so that the disease is detected as early as possible, in the early stages, when chances for survival are bigger and qualitative, when there are less and easier treatments, when the costs are lower, both for the family and for the society. ”Nafije Latifi.

Fighting for your body’s health can be one of the greatest battles that a human can go through. This fight was not easy for Mrs. Nafije Latifi, from the village of Dubrava in Kaçanik, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 54.

After several long struggles with this disease, Nafija won the battle. In an interview that aims to inform and raise awareness to all women about breast cancer, Nafija recounts her personal experience as a survivor of this disease, at a time when there was no oncology institute for the treatment of these patients in Kosovo.

Nafije told us about the time she got diagnosed, until the treatment, as well as her life after the disease. She also told us about the volunteer activities she has organized within her Center, as an unstoppable ambassador in the fight against breast cancer.

Because of the cancer, she had to quit the profession she had practiced for 40 years, also the magazine she had founded herself ceased being issued, but the cancer could not stop her will to live.

Nafije was diagnosed with cancer at a phase in her life when she was maximally dedicated to her profession.

She told us that she worked non-stop, almost 24 hours a day. In addition to her 8-hour work, she also worked in the magazine, founded by her "Rrezja".

Photo: Mrs. Nafije Latifi

Her confrontation with cancer began one night when she noticed an unusual gland on the right side of her chest. Since she already had a little information about the disease, she had her doubts and did the necessary tests.

The gland turned out to be cancer and Nafije decided to get treated. She had to go to Germany because Kosovo of 2006 had no oncology clinic.

The illness returned two more times and she was forced to receive numerous and costly therapies as well as to undergo surgery. However, with the continuous support of her family, friends, and health workers, emotional and physical experiences were alleviated and her will to live increased.

Among other aspects, the disease required Nafija to significantly increase her care for her diet and health.

Healthy food and being physically active are always important, but cancer patients need to pay attention to such aspects because they can have a huge impact on their health condition.

Nafija says that during the time she was diagnosed with cancer, but even after that, she quit smoking, had stopped eating red meat completely and was focused on a healthier diet.

As for the physical activities that are also very important, she says that she is not a potato couch person and likes walking in the nature and swimming in the sea during the warm seasons.

Dedicated to informing women in Kosovo about the risks of breast cancer

In 2006 Nafije, supported by family and friends, established the first Breast Cancer Fighting Center in Kosovo "JETA / VITA". Since then, she has become an inspirational activist towards raising women’s awareness against this disease which unfortunately is quite common.

According to the American Cancer Society, one in eighth woman in America is attacked by breast cancer each year.

What began as an exchange of experiences and encounters with women who had experienced or were experiencing the same disease, took place in a resting environment for each woman affected by cancer.

Also, with the establishment of the association, many women around Kosovo suddenly began to learn more about breast cancer and the importance of annual checkups.

About this Nafija says:

"Through conversations, I have tried to help about difficulties these women have when they go through different stages of the disease. I have tried to meet every woman who has called me tried to communicate with me. Let me talk to her, give him information about my experiences. I tried to help them in any way I could. "

The center has for years provided guidance and advice on how to deal with illness, how to return to family, work, and has organized many gatherings and other mobilizing activities.

Nafjja adds: "Brochures, leaflets, informative lectures in the municipalities of Kosovo, we have found different ways to talk to tens and thousands of women about this dangerous disease."

Also for 14 years in a row, during October, International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Center has organized a WALK with the sole purpose, that of raising awareness to all women about this disease.

All this, according to Nafija, has had a tremendous effect on the delivery of the messages they wanted to convey to society.

Since we went out in the public, in the oncology institute come women with much earlier stages. Women who only want to do regular check-ups, to see if there is any cause for concern.

After Nafija and other women raised their voices, they managed to secure a mobile mammogram in 2014.

With the help of this device, early detections of the disease were found, because doctors were going around Kosovo to do free breast examinations.

Also with the constant insistence on an address within Kosovo where women affected by breast cancer could be treated, thankfully the first oncology institute was established in Prishtina in 2011.

Nafije has a message for young women who are reluctant to have breast exams:

"If you detect it early, you survive, if you detect it late, you can live, but the quality of life is very poor and the cost of treatment is staggering."

Finally, this is Nafije's advice to all women: "Take care of yourself, do self-breast-examination and annual check-ups, because early detection is survival."

She suggests women to have breast ultrasound once a year, in order to constantly monitor the health of their breasts.

Many thanks to Mrs. Nafije for her contribution and commitment towards the fight with breast cancer, as well as for her willingness to share her experience with us.

We recommend each of you, to continue raising awareness and caring for your health every month, not just in October. In this way we will prevent the development of cancer cells in our body.

Join us in the fight against breast cancer. All we have to do is take care of ourselves!