What is Cancer?
Cancer is a group of diseases that occur as a result of uncontrolled proliferation and growth of cells that have been changed by some effects, both locally and at distant points.
Cancer is an increasingly important health and life problem. In Western societies, one of 250-350 people is diagnosed with cancer every year. In the group over the age of 60, the incidence of cancer increases very much, reaching around 4-5 per 300 people. Although precise statistics are not available in our country, the incidence is estimated to be half of this.
The most common cancers in Turkey are lung, prostate, large intestine, rectum, stomach and pancreas in men; cancers of the breast, lung, large intestine, rectum, cervix, ovary, stomach and pancreas in women. The incidence of skin cancer is high in both sexes.
Diagnosis and Treatment in Cancer
Cancer treatment and diagnosis requires the cooperation of many specialties. Surgery and radiotherapy are local treatment methods, followed by systemic treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
New information from molecular biology holds promise for cancer treatment. Special substances that suppress the genes and their products that trigger the proliferation of cancerous cells are still under investigation. At the same time, genes that suppress cancer genes are also being studied to participate in the treatment.
Perhaps more important than treatment in cancer is the prevention of cancer. In prevention, avoiding carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substances, living clean and healthy, and following a proper diet can easily reduce the incidence of cancer in half. At the same time, there are cancer prevention studies in risky groups with drugs.
