Every year, around 2,300 women in Croatia are diagnosed with breast cancer, and 1,000 of them die, with the most affected being women aged 50-69.
Daffodil Day, which apart from Zagreb is marked in 60 other cities, is aimed at raising awareness of breast cancer as a serious public health problem and at educating women about the importance of breast examination for early diagnosis.
The event, held in Zagreb's main square and in Cvjetni Trg square was also attended by President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who was among those selling daffodils to raise funds for associations of breast cancer patients. Also attending was Health Minister Milan Kujundzic.
Croatian Cancer League president Damir Eljuga recalled that Daffodil Day had been marked in Croatia for 20 years, that women today were more aware of the need to have regular breast check-ups than they used to be, but that nonetheless 90 women died of breast cancer every month.
Women attending the event in the central square were also able to have their breasts checked as a mobile mammogram was brought there. Mobile mammography screening in Zagreb is intended for women aged 40-49 and those aged above 69, which are age groups that are not covered by the national programme for early breast cancer detection. The examination is free and does not require a referral.