Liv Hospital Gaziantep Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Fatih Teker gave information about breast cancer.
Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Fatih Teker, who mentioned that breast cancer can relapse again after treatment, said, “In the early stage, 80 percent of patients can survive the process without any problems. However, in a group of 20 percent, cancerous tissue can reoccur in different parts of the body even long after removal.”
Referring to the fact that breast cancer can recur after treatment, Prof. Dr. Teker said, “In the early stage, 80 percent of patients can survive the process without any problems. However, in a group of 20 percent, cancerous tissue can reoccur in different parts of the body even long after removal.” Prof. Dr. Teker emphasized that patients receiving breast cancer treatment have concerns about the recurrence of the disease.
Pointing out that concerns such as “If my disease recurs, will I go through the same processes again, can I survive if it recurs in different parts of the body” are dominant, Prof. Dr. Teker said, “When there is any pain, our patients can attribute it to different things. In other words, everyone can have such anxiety, we physicians do too. We care about these concerns because fear of the unknown is a very human emotion. Therefore, we share with all our patients the alarm symptoms, the risks of recurrence and the measures we can take in case of a possible recurrence.”
“The solution to fear lies within you”
Teker made the following suggestions on how breast cancer patients can cope with their fears about the recurrence of the disease, “This is also related to temperament and past life experiences. Some individuals may have higher anxiety levels than others. Sometimes mental states such as panic, depression, anger and helplessness can even affect their daily lives. We tell all our patients to contact us whenever they feel any hesitation. We also explain to them that the only way to reduce fear and find a solution to it is within you and by you. Sometimes we also recommend psychiatry, acupuncture and meditation. A certain level of anxiety can be managed by the individual, but living with excessive fear all the time weakens immunity. It is as important to face fear sincerely as it is to avoid it. I say to those who live in such a challenging emotional state, 'If you have difficulty controlling your stress, you can make some changes in your life that will reduce the factors that cause stress'. It is always possible to ensure the integrity of body and soul with the introduction of methods that strengthen the immune system.”
“Symptoms should not be ignored even if you are optimistic”
Prof. Dr. Teker stated that they sometimes encounter the opposite patient group of those with excessive anxiety and said, “These patients prefer to be in an optimistic behavior model such as I am fine, I am fine, I am fine, it has passed. Of course, optimism and positive attitude is a type of behavior that every person should adopt in their lives. However, we also see that some of the patients with this attitude do not know about their illness and that it is hidden by their relatives. Although this behavior model may seem harmless, it is a fact that it involves the risk of ignoring the symptoms.”
“Don't let the disease take control of your whole life”
Prof. Dr. Teker warned the patients, “Do not let the disease take control of your whole life. Do not give up on your life plans with concerns such as what if it comes back, what if it spreads. It is always more beneficial to choose to be balanced instead of being overly optimistic or overly pessimistic. Know your body well, follow your complaints. Most people cough when they have the flu and then it goes away, do not postpone consulting a doctor if your symptoms do not go away or increase. Self-treatment is often more effective than we think. Make sure you give yourself enough time. Protect your health and comfort by having fun.”
