Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women today and the age of incidence is decreasing day by day. However, despite all this seemingly negative picture, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital General Surgery Specialist, who pointed out that the loss of life decreased. Dr. Neşet Köksal also emphasized that in recent years, promising results have been achieved against breast cancer with the increase of social awareness, widespread use of screening methods and targeted treatments.
Stating that breast cancer treatment is possible and early diagnosis is made, the success of treatment increases considerably. Dr. Neşet Köksal said, “According to statistics, one out of every 7-8 women in the world can get breast cancer in a certain period of her life. In parallel with this, the incidence of breast cancer at young ages is increasing nowadays. However, without telling me anything will happen, every young woman should start her own self-exam starting from the 20s. Thanks to early diagnosis, it is possible to win the fight against breast cancer.”
Three Methods for Early Diagnosis
Underlining that there are three methods to be done for the early diagnosis of breast cancer, Prof. Dr. Neşet Köksal stated that first of all, women should do regular breast self-exams starting from their 20s, and that breast examination by the physician is necessary when there is a suspicious situation in the manual examination. Professor, who warned that imaging methods such as mammography and / or breast ultrasound should be applied when there is a suspicious situation after the physician examination. Dr. Neşet Köksal stated that in this way, it is possible to both diagnose early and reduce the loss of life due to breast cancer.
Stating that in recent years, people have become much more conscious with the efforts to increase social awareness in our country, Prof. Dr. Koksal, every woman between the ages of 30-40 should go through a specialist physician control every 3 years. After the age of 40, annual mammographic controls should be performed. In women whose first-degree relatives are diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, screening should be started 10 years before the age at which the cancer is detected.
Pointing out that regular mammography is also important against breast cancer, Prof. Dr. Köksal added that the loss of life from breast cancer has decreased significantly thanks to regular mammography screenings.
Attention to Familial Risk and Gene Mutations!
“According to statistics, about 70-80 percent of breast cancer in women occurs after the age of 40. However, the more aggressive course of breast cancer seen under the age of 40 increases its importance. Dr. Neşet Köksal also said: “Hereditary breast cancers with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations constitute approximately 15% of breast cancers. Having breast cancer in first-degree relatives such as mother and sister doubles the risk of developing this disease. Women with a BRCA gene mutation or a family history of breast cancer may develop breast cancer at a younger age. Therefore, women in this group should not wait until after the age of 2 to have breast cancer screenings.”
Merve Türk, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29; “I Hold On To Life Tight”
29-year-old Merve Türk, who lives in Istanbul, applied to the hospital when she noticed a hardness and mass in her breast while taking a shower. Although it was first said that there was a mass in the bone, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital General Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Neşet Köksal was found to have breast cancer as a result of the examinations made upon her application. Merve Türk, whose disease was caught at an early stage, stated that she held on to life without losing hope and started to regain her health after the surgery.
“Listen to Your Body's Signals”
Ms. Merve, who informed that her aunt had breast cancer and her mother had colon cancer before, said that she did not lose her morale because her disease was at an early stage after the diagnosis and she never lost her hope; “After the diagnosis of breast cancer, I received a lot of support from my family, the institution I worked for, and my environment. However, I think that cancer is not given enough attention in the young age group. Until I was diagnosed with cancer, I had the misconception that I was still young and cancer was too far away from me. I advise everyone, especially young people, to listen and observe the signs and signals given by their bodies. It is possible to treat breast cancer, as long as you are aware of it and diagnose it at an early stage.”
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