Clock Tower, the Centennial Symbol of Izmir, Will Turn Blue Every Thursday in March

İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Department of Community Health signed an important project with the Turkish Colon and Rectal Surgery Association to raise awareness about colon cancer. The events, which started with the Clock Tower turning blue, the symbol of colon cancer, will continue throughout March. Attention will be drawn to the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in the fight against colon cancer.

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Community Health Department and Turkish Colon and Rectum Surgery Association collaborated to raise awareness about colon cancer, which is diagnosed with 1 million people in the world and 20 thousand people in Turkey every year. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment in the fight against colon cancer will be highlighted with the events to be held during March, the colon cancer awareness month.

Blue light to the Clock Tower

Within the scope of colon cancer awareness month activities, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality will color the historical Clock Tower with blue light, the symbol of colon cancer, every Thursday throughout March.

Activities throughout March

It is aimed to inform the people of Izmir about colon cancer throughout March with the posters hung on the billboards, stops, transportation vehicles at different points in Izmir, and the warnings on LED screens. A health literacy study will be carried out on the subject through social media accounts via Distance Multi-Learning-UCE. On March 10, 2022, at the Buca Social Life Campus, the members of the Healthy Aging Center and the residents of the nursing home, Prof. Dr. Cem Terzi and the trainers of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Community Health Department will give a seminar. A kitchen workshop will be held with the slogan "We are well in the pot". A brochure will be distributed to the people of Izmir, explaining the ways to prevent colon cancer.

The numbers are scary

Turkish Colon and Rectum Surgery Association Board Member Prof. Dr. Cem Terzi pointed out that the age of catching colon cancer, which is the third leading cause of death in the world, has gradually decreased in recent years. Stating that according to statistics, 20 thousand people are diagnosed with colon cancer every year in Turkey, Terzi said, “The rate of developing colon cancer has doubled in the last 10 years. 2% of colon cancer cases occur under the age of 10. This rate is increasing day by day. This shows that colon cancers will be the disease of the younger generations in the future. The idea that 'cancer does not happen at a young age' and being ashamed of rectal examination cause diseases to progress and become more difficult to treat. Do not be ashamed of the examination, early diagnosis saves lives. Terzi, Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, for his support in raising awareness about colon cancer. Tunç SoyerHe thanked.

Cancer can be prevented with simple precautions

Saying that although all this information is frightening, we can be protected from cancer with simple precautions that can be taken. Dr. Cem Terzi gave the following information: “It is important to have regular fecal occult blood test and colonoscopy screenings of individuals over 50 years of age with cancer in their family members. It is necessary to exercise regularly, to get rid of excess weight, to eat a balanced diet, to consume fibrous foods such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits, to reduce consumption of red meat, to avoid fast food, additive-ready foods, cigarettes and tobacco, and to avoid excessive alcohol consumption.