Unfortunately, the number of cancer patients in the world is increasing rapidly.
According to statistics, while the number of new cases in 2008 was 12.4 million, it is estimated that this will double in 2030 and reach 26.4 million. These figures show how great a risk cancer poses to humanity.
Today's oncology knowledge has made great progress in preventing the disease before it occurs. In cases where we cannot prevent it, early diagnosis is possible for many cancers and this is of vital importance. Prof. from Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale Hospital, medical oncology department. Dr. Coşkun Tecimer draws attention to the most common types of cancer in our country and ways to prevent them;
1- Lung cancer: Spiral tomography can be performed in people whose parents have lung cancer, who smoke and who have a cough.
2- Prostate cancer: It usually does not cause symptoms in the early stages. For this reason, it is necessary to check the prostate specific antigen, which we call PSA, in the blood of men over the age of 50 once a year. This is a tumor marker and is increased in patients with prostate cancer.
3- Breast cancer: It is not possible to diagnose small masses by physical examination. For this reason, women should have a mammogram once a year starting from the age of 40. When necessary, breast ultrasonography and breast MRI can be added to this.
4- Skin cancers: They are usually noticed because they are on the surface. However, since there are sometimes parts of the skin that we cannot reach with our own eyes, a dermatological examination should be performed once a year. Here, places where lesions can hide, such as the scalp, are also checked. In addition, changes in moles and other skin lesions that we cannot notice can be detected by the dermatologist.
5- Stomach cancers: There is no routine check-up program. However, some stomach disorders that are dismissed as gastritis may be a sign of cancer. These people should undergo an upper endoscopic examination called gastroscopy. In this way, the reason for the complaints is understood. It is decided whether there is cancer or not by performing a biopsy.
6- Bladder cancer: There is no routine examination program. When the disease is suspected, an examination called cystoscopy is performed by entering the bladder through the urinary tract and, if necessary, a biopsy is taken.
7- Large intestine cancer: Polyps in the large intestine can turn into cancer over time, and these They do not give any symptoms. Therefore, everyone over the age of 50 should undergo periodic colonoscopy. In this examination, the entire large intestine is observed by entering a tube through the anus. If polyps are found, they are removed during endoscopy and the treatment is completed. Many people are afraid of colonoscopy. However, nowadays it has become much easier to perform this examination. Since the patient is anesthetized during the examination, he does not feel any pain or ache. If a polyp that can turn into cancer is found, the colonoscopy must be repeated after a year. In people who are found to be normal, it is necessary to repeat the examination every 3 to 10 years. In addition, occult blood in the stool should be checked once a year. In people with blood in their stool, the intestines should be examined with colonoscopy, as they may have colon cancer.
8- Thyroid cancer: There is no routine examination program. In case of suspicion, manual neck examination and thyroid ultrasonography should be performed. A biopsy should be taken from suspicious nodules.
9- Uterine cancer: There is no routine examination program. About 20% of uterine cancers do not cause symptoms. A test called 'pap smear' can be performed on these. In this test, a swab is taken from the cervix. In fact, the Pap smear test is a very important test in detecting cervical cancer before it occurs. It should be done once a year after sexual life begins. However, its effectiveness in detecting uterine cancer rather than cervical cancer is low. In cases where uterine cancer is suspected, a tomography or MRI of the abdominal area may be performed in addition to a Pap smear.
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