Some people refuse to accept the limits the world sets before them. Dr. Vanya Mitova is one of them — a surgical oncologist whose eyes light up whenever the conversation turns to health, resilience, and hope. She doesn’t just heal bodies — she pours her heart into her mission to change the fate of every woman facing breast cancer.

As a medical student, Dr. Mitova started at the very bottom of the hospital hierarchy — as a hospital orderly. She moved through every level of patient care — caregiver, nurse, medical intern, surgical resident at Lozenets University Hospital — and eventually became Head of the Breast and Reconstructive Surgery Department at Sofia’s Oncology Hospital.

“There’s nothing more valuable than hands-on work in a hospital setting while studying medicine.”

Her journey — step by step, through immense dedication, sacrifice, and resilience — gave her a deep understanding of what it truly means to be a doctor. Today, as a department head, Dr. Mitova remains grounded. She sees. She listens. She understands. She knows what it means to be part of the healthcare system at every level — and what it means to lead with humanity every day.

The questions you can’t see

Every day, dozens of women stand before Dr. Mitova. In their eyes, she sees more than a diagnosis — she sees fear, questions, and hope.

“There are so many questions in the eyes of the patients who hear the words ‘breast cancer,’” she says. “And just as many in the eyes of those who are still healthy, but afraid.”

It’s not easy to carry the weight of those stares. But Dr. Mitova finds strength in her desire to change lives. To her, every patient is a world, every fear a battle worth fighting. Surgery alone is not enough — her mission is to give each woman the tools to stand and fight for herself.

From this human connection came the idea for BreastHelp — a mobile app offering trusted information and support, just a tap away.

“It’s much harder to influence a well-informed patient with commercial or exploitative messages,” she notes.

BreastHelp: More than an app

BreastHelp is not just a technological tool. It is an extension of a doctor’s caring hand — a lifeline at the most critical moments.

Dr. Mitova personally designed the app’s medical algorithm and was involved in every step of its creation — from the structure of the health questionnaires to deciding the timing of notifications.

“We’ve considered even the little things. For example, a woman shouldn’t get a reminder for a self-exam at eleven o’clock in the morning when she’s busy at work,” she explains.

The app offers three modules: for healthy women, for women already diagnosed with breast cancer, and for doctors. Each module addresses different needs — from prevention and risk assessment to treatment support and post-surgical recovery.

“An informed patient knows her options — and makes the right decisions about her health.”

Why BreastHelp matters

BreastHelp is more than just an app — it is a true partner in the fight for health. It’s available completely free of charge and provides accurate, up-to-date medical information, aligned with leading international standards for screening, prevention, and follow-up.

It sends personalized reminders for self-exams, facilitates scheduling preventive screenings, and offers video exercises to assist in recovery after surgery. For healthy women, it includes a risk assessment tool, a personalized screening schedule, and a menstrual cycle tracker.

BreastHelp also enables online consultations with with individual top breast cancer specialists as well as with a specialized online tumor board, helps book medical appointments, maintains a secure digital archive of health records, and provides a wide range of additional expert content — all in one place, ready when it’s needed most.

BreastHelp initially launched with a module for healthy women (prevention module), and thanks to support from the America for Bulgaria Foundation, it was expanded with two additional modules — for diagnosed patients and for doctors. Today, it is one of the most comprehensive breast cancer care apps of its kind anywhere in the world.

For Dr. Mitova, the most important achievement is that BreastHelp gives women strength — helping them feel informed, prepared, and never alone.

Breast cancer affects men, too

It’s important to remember: breast cancer doesn’t affect only women. Every year, dozens of men in Bulgaria are diagnosed with this disease. Although rarer in men, it is just as serious, requiring early detection, treatment, and caring support. That’s why it’s vital to talk openly, to educate ourselves, and to stand by everyone affected — regardless of gender.

Small victories, big impact

Today, BreastHelp has nearly 4,000 active users. But behind every download is a story — a story of hope, courage, and overcoming fear.

“We’re helping even across the ocean,” says Dr. Mitova.

She shares a message from a patient in the United States, who uses BreastHelp to stay on track with her recovery: “Little by little, the app reminds me every morning not to forget. I still struggle with the harder exercises, but I’m making progress,” the patient wrote to Dr. Mitova.

These personal stories are the true rewards. So are the many recognitions — the Enlightener of the Year honor, multiple patient choice and professional awards, and the trust of the America for Bulgaria Foundation. Unsurprisingly, Dr. Mitova’s consultation schedule is fully booked months in advance. But for her, the greatest honor remains simple:

It’s when her patients say, “She gave me back hope.”

Beyond the profession

Outside her demanding profession, Dr. Mitova finds peace in Bulgarian traditions. She is an active member of the Guardians of Bulgarian Heritage Association, preserves authentic folk costumes, and paints intricate Easter eggs — all with the same devotion and precision she brings to her surgical work.

“I love spending time with my loved ones, traveling, reading a book by the sea. I make a conscious effort to preserve Bulgarian heritage — our traditions, folklore, and historic garments like traditional jewelry and belt buckles (pafti),” she says. She proudly owns a 150-year-old traditional costume and pafti made to her own design, collected with love and deep respect for history.

She finds inspiration in the small things — a hand-painted Easter egg, an ancient embroidery design, a patient’s smile leaving the hospital healthy. That is what keeps her spirit strong.

Inspiration for the future

When asked how she manages to balance such a demanding profession with her mission to drive change, she answers simply: “I can’t help everyone personally — but I can build a system that helps many.”

BreastHelp is just the beginning. Dr. Mitova dreams of a world where every woman understands that prevention is an act of self-love. A world where early diagnosis is the rule, not the exception.

“It can happen to anyone. But when doctor and patient stand side by side, they are stronger than the disease.”

Download BreastHelp (available in both Bulgarian and English from Healee). Because knowledge is the first step toward life.