Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality, in partnership with SES and the Gün Işığı Cancer Association, organised a panel entitled “Cancer Awareness and Current Developments in Treatment” to raise awareness about cancer.

With the aim of increasing awareness of cancer and evaluating new treatment approaches in the light of scientific advances, the Health Affairs Department, together with the Health and Social Service Workers’ Trade Union (SES) and the Gün Işığı Cancer Association, held the panel at the Çand Amed Culture and Congress Centre. The event was attended by Head of Health Affairs Department Vahap Saçaklı, health professionals and a large number of residents.

The panel featured Professor Dr Gökhan Demir and Specialist Dr Halis Yerlikaya as speakers, and was moderated by Yıldız Ok Orak, Co-Chair of the Diyarbakır Branch of the Health and Social Service Workers’ Trade Union.

‘Early diagnosis is crucial in the fight against cancer’

Speaking at the panel, Specialist Dr Halis Yerlikaya highlighted the importance of early diagnosis in the fight against cancer. Referring in particular to breast cancer, Yerlikaya noted that it is important for women over the age of 40 to attend health centres for mammography in order to enable early diagnosis. Pointing out that there is a perception in society that cancer is contagious, Yerlikaya addressed and corrected common misconceptions.

‘Cancer screening is necessary even when there are no risk factors’

Professor Dr Gökhan Demir underlined that cancer screening should be carried out even when there are no apparent risk factors. Stating that more than a hundred types of tumour can occur in the body, but that screening is currently available for four or five types of cancer, Demir continued as follows:

“It is essential that women aged 40 and over undergo regular mammography, and that gynaecological examinations are carried out from the onset of sexually active life. Colonoscopic screening between the ages of 45 and 50 is important for both men and women. We are also, in fact, highly exposed to the sun, so dermatological screening needs to be carried out. For those who smoke, lung screening should be conducted using computed tomography, and in men, screening with PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) tests should be carried out annually from the ages of 45–50. Cancer can develop even at ages that are considered ideal.”