Breast Cancer: Most common cancer in women
Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Taylan-Özkan, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Cyprus International University (CIU), drew attention to the fact that breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women all over the world, and stated that approximately 2.3 million new cases are diagnosed each year.
Stating that breast cancer is a type of cancer that mainly affects women, Taylan-Özkan shared the information that, "It is usually a mass formed by abnormal cells growing uncontrollably in the breast."
Prof. Dr. Taylan-Özkan noted that physicians recognize that certain kinds of breast cancer are more aggressive and grow quickly, while others progress more slowly, and added there were different options for treating cancer.
Noting that understanding the risk factors associated with breast cancer is a priority for preventing the disease, Taylan-Özkan emphasized that "Knowing the risk factors for breast cancer will help with early diagnosis and treatment."
Taylan-Özkan stated that common risk factors include gender, age, family history, genetic predisposition and lifestyle, and said, “The risk is higher in women over the age of 55 who have a family history of breast cancer. Certain genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, as well as factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, obesity and lack of physical activity, significantly increase the risk.”
Stating that early diagnosis and successful treatment are the keys to survival, Taylan-Özkan said, “Self-examinations and regular mammograms increase the chances of early diagnosis leading to a successful treatment.”
In her statement, Taylan-Özkan also gave advice to women, saying, “Women should be familiar with self-examination methods to notice symptoms such as lumps, increase in size, change in shape or unusual discharge in their breasts. Mammograms are useful in detecting tumors long before they can be felt by hand.”
Taylan-Özkan also recommended that women start annual mammograms after the age of 40 or earlier depending on family history and genetic predisposition, saying, “Survival rates have increased to over 90% thanks to early diagnosis of breast cancer with a simple monthly examination and annual mammograms.”
Taylan-Özkan reminded that the “Pink Ribbon” is a symbol of the ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’ which is being commemorated all over the world throughout October in order to prevent the most important type of cancer affecting women, and stated that for this reason, awareness raising activities are being carried out during October for the early diagnosis of breast cancer through regular screenings and self-examination.