Cancer Screening Programs Are Saving Lives

Medical Park Ordu Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Dr. Neslihan Özyurt provided information on the occasion of 4 February World Cancer Day, which was announced by the International Organization Against Cancer and has been marked with awareness events worldwide since 2000. Medical Oncology Specialist Dr. Neslihan Özyurt, noting that early diagnosis plays an important role in achieving successful results in cancer treatment, stated: "Today, many types of cancer detected early through regular screenings or due to symptoms can achieve complete recovery after treatment."

More Than a Thousand Cancer Types Exist

Specialist Dr. Neslihan Özyurt, noting that more than a thousand types of cancer have been identified since they can originate from all tissues in the body, stated: "Cancer is a term given to malignant tumors that arise from damage to the genetic material of cells, with this damage accumulating without repair, and which do not resemble the tissue from which they originate and have the potential to spread to other tissues and organs."

Attention to Symptoms Necessary for Early Diagnosis

Specialist Dr. Özyurt, emphasizing that early diagnosis plays an important role in achieving successful results in cancer treatment, stated: "Today, many types of cancer detected early through regular screenings can now achieve complete recovery. In particular, sudden weight loss, abnormal bleeding or discharge from the uterus or rectum, a mass appearing in the breast or anywhere on the body that gradually grows, prolonged cough or hoarseness, non-healing wounds, changes in bowel habits, difficulty swallowing, indigestion, abnormal growth or bleeding of existing moles or spots on the body should be warning signs and a doctor should be consulted without delay."

Smoking is a Serious Risk Factor

Specialist Dr. Özyurt, stating that cigarettes, consumed very frequently by people of all age groups in our country, are the leading cause of many cancers ranging from lung to bladder and pancreatic cancer due to the more than 3,000 harmful chemicals they contain, provided the following information: "The cause in 50 percent of cancer cases is what we call environmental factors; smoking, alcohol, obesity, microbial agents such as viruses and bacteria, UV rays, chemical agents (tar, benzene, paint substances, asbestos, some cosmetics), radiation; the cause in 35 percent is mutations in the genetic code that are mostly age-related, and the cause in 15 percent is hereditary, that is, genetic inheritance. From this it can be understood that the real question that should be asked first is how we should protect ourselves from cancer. Unfortunately, cigarettes, consumed very frequently by people of all age groups in our country, are the leading cause of many cancers ranging from lung to bladder and pancreatic cancer due to the more than 3,000 harmful chemicals they contain. In combating cancer, informing people about the harms of smoking and assisting them in quitting should be a primary goal, especially for healthcare professionals."