Turkish Oncology Association urges early breast cancer diagnosis: don’t be afraid, but don’t delay

The Turkish Oncology Association held a press conference in Istanbul as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The meeting focused on the importance of early diagnosis, timely treatment and patient support.

According to 2024 data from the World Health Organization, breast cancer was diagnosed in approximately 2.4 million women worldwide, and 694,000 women died from the disease. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women. As of 2024, around 8.2 million women are living with the diagnosis.

Speaking at the meeting, association president Burak Duruman urged women not to postpone screenings.

“Our goal today is very clear: don't say, 'It won't happen to me.' In 2024, breast cancer was diagnosed in approximately 2.4 million women worldwide, and around 694,000 women died from the disease. Today breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women, and around 8 million women are living with it. But talking about numbers alone is not enough. Behind every number is a woman, a family, a changed life. So when you say, 'There was no such thing in my family, I have no complaints, I feel fine,' don't postpone screening.”

Duruman highlighted the importance of screening programs and noted that the association helps women access free screenings at the nearest center, regardless of the city or district where they live.

“We have a very important opportunity. Thanks to screening, we can catch the disease before symptoms appear. That is where the value of early diagnosis begins. Early detection not only saves lives, but also reduces the burden of treatment. When the disease is detected early, there are treatment options with less extensive surgery and fewer medications. Sometimes we see patients who are treated even without chemotherapy.”

Medical oncology specialist Professor Yeşim Eralp presented data on Turkey and treatment success rates at different stages.

“In Turkey there are around 32,000 patients with breast cancer. Breast cancer ranks among the leading cancers in women. We are now finding the disease at earlier stages. One of the main reasons is early diagnosis thanks to awareness programs. At stage one, when the tumor is smaller, the success rate is around 95%. At stage two it is also very good — 85–90%. But at stage three, success can drop to 75%. That is why screening programs must be expanded across Turkey, and everyone must have equal access to them.”

According to her, official screenings in Turkey start at age 50, but available data indicate the need for routine screening from age 40, especially given cases of breast cancer in people under 40 and with a family history.

Radiation oncology specialist Professor Berrin Pehlivan pointed to the role of how the disease is perceived.

“Carcinogenesis is only 10% determined by genetics, and 85–90% by lifestyle and habits. Cancer today has become a curable and chronic disease. Thanks to advances in systemic therapy, surgery and radiotherapy, we can preserve people's quality of life without keeping them away from their usual life for long.”

General surgery specialist Associate Professor Aylin Hande Gökçe spoke about symptoms and patients' fears, recalling the message for women.

“This process, although not always, usually begins when a woman feels a lump in her breast. Unfortunately, the first word that comes to many people's minds is 'cancer,' and they are naturally afraid. I always tell patients: 'Don't be afraid, but don't delay.' Because lumps in the breast do not always mean breast cancer. Most of them are benign. So there is no need to panic immediately and say, 'I have cancer.' But the most important thing here is not to delay.”

Source: cnnturk.com