Cancer in 4 questions – Breaking News

Cancer is the second most common cause of death after cardiovascular diseases in the world and in Turkey. Cancer is the cause of one of every 6 deaths in the world and one of every 5 episodes in Turkey.

The data of the World Health Organization, which includes 29 types of cancer in 184 countries, reveals how serious a problem cancer is. According to “GLOBOCAN” data, approximately 19.5 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer annually. About 10 million people die each year due to cancer. In Turkey, 250,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year.

Thanks to advances in medicine, cancer treatment has come a long way. Many types of cancer can now be successfully treated. Early diagnosis is of great importance at this point. To prevent the disease, it is necessary to have regular check-ups.

[Fotoğraf: Getty Images]

National Cancer Control Program is active

With the recommendation of the World Health Organization, the “National Cancer Control Program”, which combines registration, prevention, screening and treatment activities, has been carried out in Turkey since 2008. Free screening tests are carried out for certain types of cancer in centers all over Turkey.

We have compiled the ones who are curious about cancer prevention methods, risk factors, symptoms and free screening tests. Here are 4 questions about cancer…

[Grafik: TRT Haber]

1. What are the most common types of cancer?

The incidence of cancer differs in men and women. Skin cancer is the most common type in both men and women. Following this, lung, prostate, large intestine, rectum, stomach and pancreatic cancers are more common in men in Turkey. In women, the ranking is listed as breast, lung, large intestine, rectum, cervix, ovarian, stomach and pancreatic cancers.

2. What are the ways to prevent cancer?

In order to prevent cancer, it is necessary to stay away from environmental factors that increase the risk, especially tobacco and alcohol. It is also a must to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits, and not be exposed to the sun’s rays for a long time. It is important to keep the weight under control and to sleep regularly and enough to prevent the disease. Another way of protection is to undergo regular cancer screening by getting hepatitis and HIV vaccinations.

[Grafik: TRT Haber]

3. Where are cancer screening tests done?

“National Cancer Control Program” has been carried out in Turkey since 2008. These screenings are carried out by Cancer Early Diagnosis Screening and Education Centers (KETEM), Community Health Centers (TSM), Healthy Life Centers (SHM), Family Health Centers (ASM) and mobile cancer screening tools. For information about free cancer screening, visit https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/.

4. Who can have which examinations free of charge?

Free screening for breast, cervical and colon cancers. Their frequency and processes are as follows:

-Breast cancer screening: In this practice for women aged 40-69, clinical breast examination is performed once a year. In addition, mammography is taken every 2 years. Mammography results are given within 16 days at the latest. Results are available online.

– Cervical cancer screening: HPV-DNA and smear test are applied to all women between the ages of 30-65 every 5 years. Results are visible within 10 days. These results are also available online.

-Colorectal (large intestine) cancer screening: It is applied to men and women between the ages of 50-70. As part of colorectal cancer screening, stool occult blood test is applied every two years. Colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years.

Graphic: Şeyma Özkaynak