Breast cancer accounts for 25 percent of cancers and 15 percent of cancer-related deaths in women. Today, while 1 in 7 women in developed countries are diagnosed with breast cancer, this rate is recorded as 1 in 8 women in Turkey. In order to raise awareness about the serious health problem and breast cancer, the 11th Oncology Days were held by the Genç Birikim Association at the Muş Chamber of Commerce and Industry. While following the program, moderated by journalist Fulya Soybaş, we listened to the stories of the “survivor” team of women who beat cancer.
WE ARE STRONGER”
After the first day panels of 350 volunteers from 10 countries who came to Muş, many people walked with banners in their hands to draw attention to cancer. Speaking at the panel, Genç Birikim Association President Salih Yüce said, “It was a productive meeting in both scientific and social aspects, with our people, scientists, members of the press, patients and civil society organizations, and cancer was on the agenda.”
Dr. Nevin Çolak, Istanbul Representative of the Genç Birikim Association, stated that the participation was above their expectations and said, “Cancer concerns everyone. When people think of cancer, they have always thought of death. In this organization, we convey that this is not the case and that instead of being afraid of cancer, we should address it head on.”
SURVIVOR WOMEN
The panel also included participants who had previously overcome cancer. The stories of these strong women who call themselves “survivors” were a source of inspiration for everyone. Melek Akkaya, who managed to overcome lymphoma three times when she was diagnosed at the age of 24, stated that attending events like this gave them strength, and said, “I cried when I found out I had cancer. We all went through that pain and realized the importance of being together. Early diagnosis saved my life.. “Before I had cancer, I had a 4-year-old son. A few months after I overcame the disease, I learned that I was pregnant. It was risky, but thank God, I had a healthy birth. Then, when my baby was 40 days old, the cancer recurred. I recovered after 6-7 months. Then, I was diagnosed for the third time. I used smart medication and managed to beat the disease again,” she said.
DO NOT POSTPONE CHECKS
Avşar Boran, who beat breast cancer, is another “survivor” woman. Boran stated that she realized she had cancer when she noticed a lump in 2013. Having defeated cancer at the age of 39, Boran is nowwhile providing voluntary mentoring, “Everyone has a procrastination. People think that if they postpone, things will disappear. Early diagnosis is very important, and the treatment gets harder as it progresses,” he said. Boran also shared the information that women can detect the mass by lying on their backs or standing up and lifting one arm and moving their fingers clockwise.
THERE IS LIFE IN THE BRACELET
Saadet Köknar (65), who beat cancer at the age of 45, said that she had relatives who had lost their lives to cancer in her family history. Stating that she was diagnosed in 2005 and had a biopsy taken, Köknar said, “My type of cancer did not grow quickly, I managed to beat it by taking 6 courses of therapy. This cancer allowed me to live my life more consciously. We established associations and started telling people about cancer.”
When we asked about the pink bracelet on her arm, Köknar said, “These bracelets, brought by Sağ-Kal Association, contain information that will be useful to healthcare professionals in case you faint, etc. “It is essential to follow the instructions on the wristbands that say ‘Edema may develop, take blood, apply serum, measure blood pressure’. Otherwise, swelling and infection may occur in the arm,” he said.
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