Breast cancer patients treated at SANKO University Hospital Oncology Center shared their stories full of hope in the program organized within the scope of October 1-31 Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In his speech at the “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” event, Prof. Dr. Göktürk Maralcan, Head of the Department of General Surgery of SANKO University Faculty of Medicine, said that the physicians and patients involved in the process came together to evaluate the road traveled with cooperation from the point they started to the point reached today.
Emphasizing that the 10-year period is very important in breast cancer, Prof. Dr. Maralcan said, “The risk of recurrence of the disease is very low after 10 years in terms of diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. There are three types of treatment in breast cancer. These are surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.”
Prof. Dr. Maralcan said, “It does not mean that every patient will receive all three treatments together, but three treatments are generally applied. However, the most important point in treatment is that if these three treatments are to be applied, they must be applied. Treatment varies according to patients. Our patients can apply to us at any time they need.”
SANKO University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine / Medical Oncology Department Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yıldırım drew attention to the long journey of breast cancer from diagnosis to surgery and treatment.
Prof. Dr. Yıldırım said, “Our aim in coming together with our patients is to create awareness and thus, we are trying to both provide early diagnosis of the disease and reduce concerns about treatment. Treatment is a process and continues throughout life. With this awareness, we are trying to create an awareness in our patients.”
The trust given by the doctor and the effect it creates on you is very important
Patients shared their stories at the meeting held under the direction of SANKO University Hospital Oncology Center Responsible Nurse İbrahim Kelleci.
R. H. (46), who works as a manager in the private sector, stated that he felt lucky that his disease was diagnosed quickly in a very short time.
R. H., who went to the doctor the next day due to a mass that came to his hand by chance, expressed his experiences after being diagnosed with cancer as follows:
“When you learn that the mass is malignant as a result of pathology, you stop for a moment, you experience a complete shock, you never expect it, you cannot put it down. After overcoming the first shock, my wife and I started to evaluate how we could carry out the best treatment process. I heard the name of Prof. Dr. Göktürk Maralcan a lot from my environment.
You feel the difference when you meet my teacher. The trust the doctor gives and the effect he leaves is very important. We explained all the processes so well that there was no room for any doubt in our minds. After the surgery and radiotherapy processes, we have come to this day and now, thank God, I am fine. I hope I will not encounter it again, I say I have overcome the disease. I thank my doctor again.”
I have two children, I need to stand
S. K. (37), one of the nurses in charge of the service at SANKO University Hospital, who was diagnosed with breast cancer about a year ago, stated that she noticed the mass a while before the diagnosis but could not put her finger on it.
“Even if we are health professionals, we don't like going to the doctor. Although I noticed it, a few days passed. When I felt the mass growing, I shared it with a friend. I applied to the relevant unit in our hospital. After an ultrasound scan, we started the process with Prof. Dr. Göktürk Maralcan. My biopsy result was bad, it was stage three. When you hear that you have cancer, you feel very bad. I thought 'this is it, I guess I will die', but I said 'I have two children, I need to stand up'.
Then my chemotherapy processes started, my hair fell out, I had a lot of side effects such as nausea and inability to eat. After four cycles of chemotherapy, we started the surgery processes. Afterwards, I received radiation treatment and have been working for four months. I am doing very well now. I do not have any problems, I have my check-ups. My smart drug treatment will continue for a year. I would like to thank my professors Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yıldırım and Prof. Dr. Göktürk Maralcan.”
Your awareness and priorities are changing
SANKO University Social Corporate Services Manager B. T. (38) explained that she detected the mass as a result of breast self-examination and immediately applied to SANKO University Hospital.
Noting that she was diagnosed with a rapidly progressing malignant breast cancer as a result of the examinations, B. T. T. “Thanks to our specialist physicians and diagnosis and treatment units, we were able to manage the process very comfortably. I feel very lucky in this regard,” she said and conveyed her happiness.
Pointing out that after chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy treatments, the treatment continued with regular check-ups and smart medication, and that she has left behind three and a half years since her diagnosis, B. T. continued her words as follows:
“I had a child and I was very sad about what would happen. My hair fell out. We went through a difficult process like the pandemic. I lost my father. I went through very difficult times. However, when you look back, everything finds its place. Life somehow continues from where it left off. Only your awareness and priorities change. I started to give more importance and time to myself.
The surgery processes are similar to what we all go through, that is, the treatment protocols applied to everyone. Since I do social activities as part of my job, we organize events such as 'early diagnosis saves lives, give importance to breast examination'. We don't realize how important these are at the time, but the process I went through showed me their importance. I would like to thank everyone who was with me in this process, Prof. Dr. Göktürk Maralcan and his team, and the oncology center team.”
SANKO University Faculty of Medicine, Head of Department of Thoracic Surgery / Oncology Center Coordinator Prof. Dr. Levent Elbeyli also participated in the program. At the stand established within the scope of the program, information was given about breast cancer and pink ribbons were attached to the visitors in order to raise awareness.
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