“By the time breast cancer is detected manually, the tumor has grown, go for regular check-ups”

Speaking at the Breast Cancer Awareness Event, General Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Necdet Derici said, “She should go for an annual breast examination from the age of 35. She should have annual mammography. If they have genetics, they should start going to the examination 10 years earlier, that is, at the age of 25. They should also check themselves. However, the breast tumor has already grown until it is caught by hand during examinations. Therefore, patients who go for regular check-ups, have regular mammograms and participate in screenings can be caught earlier and have a better chance of treatment.”

'Breast Cancer Awareness Event' was organized at BHT CLINIC Istanbul Tema Hospital. At the event, which was dressed in pink and included various workshops, experts informed the participants one by one about breast cancer treatment methods, mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, advanced and current treatment methods, breast self-examination, and psychological support after breast cancer.

“When caught early, there is no need to remove the breast”

Explaining the treatment of breast cancer, Op. Dr. Necdet Derici said, “It requires a treatment that requires a multidisciplinary approach. In other words, not only one physician but also surgery, oncology, psychiatrists and other physicians. The main treatment for cancers is the removal of diseased tissue. Breast cancers are not what they used to be. It can be detected early because screening methods have improved. Since it is caught early, there is no need to remove the breast. It is enough to remove the diseased tissue with intact borders and perform underarm sampling. In the meantime, of course, we also have a pathologist. Then we refer to oncology for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. With immunotherapy and hormone therapy, we ensure that these treatments are given in patients with positive long-term receptors.”

Stating that October is important in terms of creating breast cancer awareness for women, General Surgery Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şükrü Çolak said, “We wanted to warn them with the event we organized. Breast cancer is one of the reasons that cause women the most headaches and cause the greatest distress. The treatment is actually not very complicated, it is simple. The more awareness and early diagnosis increases, the easier the treatment will be. The patient can easily regain his health.”

“A doctor's examination should be performed first and then ultrasound or mammography”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şükrü Çolak said, “Sometimes patients come to us and want to have only ultrasound and mammography. They think that these modalities are enough for diagnosis. However; patient examination, mammography, ultrasound, other radiological examinations form a whole. When the parts of this whole are separate, sometimes they are not sufficient for diagnosis or may cause mistakes. Therefore, please and please, women should first be examined by a doctor. I would like to emphasize that they should have an ultrasound or mammography afterwards.”

“We do not recommend mammography before the age of 40”

“Since ultrasound does not contain radiation, there is no harm,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şükrü Çolak, ”We can do ultrasound as much as we want. But since mammography contains radiation and we know the direct relationship between radiation and cancer, we want mammography to be performed in a limited number. Before the age of 40, we do not recommend mammography in patients because it does not provide sufficient information, due to the structure and density of the breast. After the age of 40, we want mammography.”