'30-50% of cancer cases are preventable'

Stating that cancer can manifest with symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and pain, Oncology Specialist Dr. Mustafa Başak said, "Today, 30-50% of cancers are preventable. Modifying or avoiding risk factors can significantly reduce the cancer burden. Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for cancer and is responsible for approximately 22% of cancer deaths."

Oncology Specialist Dr. Mustafa Başak provided information about cancer.

Defining cancer, Dr. Başak said, "Cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of normal cells in the body as they transform into tumor cells through a multi-stage process. In the next stage, these cells that proliferate uncontrollably can spread to surrounding and distant organs. It can manifest with complaints of unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and pain. Beyond the physical discomfort it brings, cancer is a difficult disease to fight due to its social, financial, and emotional aspects," he said.

Stating that the burden of cancer is increasing day by day worldwide, Dr. Başak said, "It is a known fact that the most important control strategy for cancer in the 21st century is prevention and early diagnosis. In our country, screening is performed for the three types of cancer recommended by the World Health Organization. These are colorectal (colon) cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer," he stated.

MOST COMMON TYPES OF CANCER

Pointing out that cancer follows cardiovascular diseases as a cause of death, Dr. Başak said the following:

"The most common cancers in our country can be listed as lung, prostate, colon, rectum, stomach, and pancreatic cancers in men; and breast, lung, colon, rectum, cervical, ovarian, stomach, and pancreatic cancers in women. The incidence of skin cancer is high in both genders."

90-95% STEMS FROM LIFESTYLE

Explaining the causes of cancer, Dr. Başak said, "While only 5-10% of all cancer cases can be attributed to genetic defects, the remaining 90-95% are rooted in the environment and lifestyle. Today, 30-50% of cancers are preventable. Modifying or avoiding risk factors can significantly reduce the cancer burden. Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for cancer and is responsible for approximately 22% of cancer deaths."

RISK FACTORS

Dr. Başak listed the risk factors for cancer as follows:

"Use of tobacco products, primarily cigarettes,

Being a passive smoker (exposure to smoke from tobacco products, primarily cigarettes),

Being overweight or obese,

Low fruit and vegetable intake, unhealthy diet,

Insufficient physical activity,

Alcohol consumption,

Sexually transmitted Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection,

Hepatitis B (HBV) or other carcinogenic infections,

Ionizing and ultraviolet radiation,

Urban air pollution,

Indoor smoke generated by the use of solid fuels,

Exposure to cancer-causing substances in work environments."

EARLY DIAGNOSIS IS IMPORTANT

Emphasizing that cancer treatment is difficult and early diagnosis is important, Dr. Başak said, "Surgery and radiotherapy are local treatment methods, and systemic treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy can be applied after these methods. Since chemotherapy is performed with cytotoxic drugs, it is a specialized field. It must be administered in effective doses while protecting the patient from side effects. The probability of recovery for many cancers is high if diagnosed early and treated appropriately," he said.

News Source: 12punto