Call for Early Diagnosis from the Turkish Cancer Association during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Turkish Cancer Association, within the scope of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month; He held a press conference to draw attention to the importance of early diagnosis, timely treatment and patient support. The meeting held in a hotel in Istanbul was attended by expert doctors in their field, as well as artist Betül Demir, actress Perihan Ünlücan, presenter Yağmur Kalyoncu and many press members. At the meeting, attention was drawn to the importance of early awareness, timely diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

According to the World Health Organization's 2024 data, approximately 2.4 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer and 694 thousand women died due to this disease. Breast cancer remains the most common type of cancer in women. As of 2024, approximately 8.2 million women are living with a diagnosis of breast cancer.

'DON'T TELL ME IT CAN'T BE'

Speaking at the meeting, Turkish Cancer Association President Burak Duruman said, "Our goal today is very clear, do not say 'It won't happen to me'. In 2024, approximately 2.4 million women in the world were diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 694 thousand women died due to this disease. Today, breast cancer continues to be the most common type of cancer in women and approximately 8 million women live with breast cancer. However, it is not enough to just talk about numbers about breast cancer. Behind every number, there is a woman, a family, a changing life. That's why "You shouldn't postpone your check-ups by saying 'I don't have any complaints in my family, I don't have any complaints, I feel fine,'" he said.

'WE CAN DETECT THE DISEASE BEFORE IT GIVES ANY SYMPTOMS'

Referring to the importance of screenings, Duruman said, "We have a very important opportunity in breast cancer. Thanks to screenings, we can detect the disease before it has any symptoms. This is where the value of early diagnosis begins. In addition to saving lives, early diagnosis can also reduce the burden of the treatment process. When the disease is caught early, we have the possibility of treatment with less surgery and less medication. Sometimes we can see patients who are treated without even using chemotherapy. That is why early diagnosis is very important. This means that the woman's body wears out less, her daily life is less interrupted, she and herself are treated with fewer medications." "It means reducing the financial and moral burden experienced by the family. Of course, each patient's needs are very different, but taking early action provides us with very valuable advantages," he said.

'YOU CAN CONTACT US WITH A PHONE'

Stating that, as the Turkish Cancer Association, they are working to ensure that more women have access to screening opportunities, Duruman said, "You can reach us with a phone call. It does not matter which city or district you live in. We are working with all our strength to provide you with free screening opportunities at the center closest to you. You may not know where to apply or where to start. Please call the Turkish Cancer Association. Let us guide you for screening appropriate to your age and personal risks. Because awareness is not completed by just saying 'Get yourself checked'. It is also necessary to help get that check done." he said.

'WE CAN NOW FIND THE DISEASE IN EARLIER STAGES'

Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Yeşim Eralp said, "There are approximately 32 thousand breast cancer patients in Turkey. Breast cancer is among the leading cancers seen in women. Now we can detect the disease in earlier stages. One of the main reasons for this is the early diagnosis with awareness programs. In the first stage, the success rate for a tumor caught when it is younger is 95 percent. When it comes to the second stage, it is still very good, between 85-90 percent. However, when it comes to the third stage, our success rate reaches 75 percent." "Therefore, screening programs need to be spread throughout Türkiye and everyone should have equal access to them," he said.

'ROUTINE SCREENING NEEDS TO BE CONDUCTED AFTER THE AGE OF 40'

Giving information about the screening age, Eralp said, "In Turkey, screening officially starts at the age of 50, but what we know tells us that it should be done routinely from the age of 40. Especially in our country, the rates of breast cancer seen under the age of 40 are slightly higher. This requires a separate awareness. If there is breast cancer, ovarian cancer or similar cancers in our family or relatives, it may be necessary to start screening earlier."

Radiation Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Berrin Pehlivan said, "Despite all the work done in this field over the years, I still think that one of the biggest reasons why we succumb to the disease is the perception of cancer. Our perception that cancer is a disease that cannot be prevented and treated creates the biggest negativity in our fight against cancer. However, cancer is largely preventable. We could not prevent it and we became sick; it is still a largely treatable disease. When we change our perspective and perception on cancer, we will actually take the biggest step in the fight against it."

'IT IS TIME TO CHANGE OUR PERSPECTIVE OF CANCER'

Stating that cancer is increasingly becoming a treatable disease, Pehlivan said, "10 percent of cancers are genetic, and 85-90 percent are caused by our lifestyle and living habits. It is time for us to change our perspective on cancer when we are sick. Cancer has become a treatable and chronic disease today. With the developments in systemic treatments, surgery and radiotherapy, we have started to enable people to continue their lives by preserving their quality of life, without depriving them of their normal lives too much."

'DON'T BE AFRAID, BUT DON'T DELAY'

Referring to the symptoms of breast cancer, General Surgery Specialist Assoc. Dr. Aylin Hande Gökçe also said, "This process usually, but not always, begins when a woman finds a mass in her breast. Unfortunately, the first word that comes to most women's minds is 'cancer' and naturally they are afraid. I always tell my patients: 'Don't be afraid, but do not delay.' Because masses in the breast do not always mean breast cancer. Most of the masses in the breast are benign. Therefore, we should not be afraid immediately and say 'I have cancer'. However, the most important point here is not to delay. 'This mass is benign.' "It should not be postponed based on whether it is painful or painless, because unfortunately breast cancer may also occur underneath it," he said.