Çiğdem Kara is a beautiful 37-year-old mother. She breastfed for two years after giving birth to her son about six years ago. However, she then applied to the doctor, suspecting discharge from the nipple. Çiğdem Kara, who was also a nurse, was aware of the importance of early diagnosis of breast cancer. Therefore, they were quickly followed up and nothing was detected in the end. She continued her annual follow-up. In 2017, she noticed a mass in her breast. And her battle for breast cancer began… 

She set an example for her relatives and those who continue the same struggle through social media with her calmness and peaceful approach to life in all the processes she lived... “I accepted it as a process, I was not pessimistic. I believed that I would fight and win this war by thinking about my child and my family.''

After noticing the mass in the manual examination, I immediately applied to a physician in Çanakkale. The mass was detected after ultrasound and mammography. However, it was said that it was not dangerous and follow-up every 6 months would be sufficient. But I decided to apply to Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital. The mass was found to grow after the examinations and biopsy performed by the General Surgery Specialist. My treatment process has started. Although my family did not have a history of cancer, I was not very comfortable with the first symptoms. I prepared myself for the possibility of cancer. ”

Explaining that she did not restrict her social life during the treatment, Çiğdem Kara contacted many women with breast cancer through social media and supported them by conveying her experiences.  

“Success Rate in the Early Stages Are Very High”

Our expert pointed out that breast cancer is seen at an early age in Turkey as well as in the world. Treatment approaches in breast cancer are completely personalized. A subtype of the tumor was determined first in this case, and they applied a treatment approach in this direction. “We detected a 2-2.5 cm tumor in Çiğdem Kara's left breast. We performed a subtype and staging of the tumor with a type of biopsy, which is an extremely important process. Because we can see the possibility of metastasis afterward as well as shape the treatment we will apply to the patient. It was also a special tumor that could benefit from targeted treatment. Therefore, it was wise to give chemotherapy, before the surgery. We applied the approach we defined as neoadjuvant therapy. The results were extremely successful, and the tumor completely disappeared. However, in our detailed radiological evaluations, we found it appropriate to empty the breast due to the structure of the tumor and the fragmentation of the shrinkage into islets after its spread in the breast. In this way, the risk of metastasis decreased after treatment. At the same time, a new breast was also performed by our aesthetic and plastic surgery specialist.

“A Good Radiologist is Like the Captain of a Treatment”

Stating that the view of surgical methods has completely changed with targeted treatments, especially in early-stage cancers, General Surgery Specialist also added: "This is actually the result of the vision of personalized cancer treatment in breast cancer. Now we know which medication to use for which patient, and even how to get results. When we cannot achieve the results we want, we can change our treatment approach. However, for this, the hand of the surgeon, radiologist, and oncologist must be constantly on the patient. Not having a good radiologist is like crossing the Bosporus in foggy weather without a pilot captain. Therefore, the radiologist needs to detect the cancerous area well. ”

“Helping Others Motivated Me”

Çiğdem Kara, who underwent surgery in November, still smiles happily despite all she has experienced. “When I heard that my breast would be removed, I was not upset because I prepared myself for this at the beginning of the treatment.

Moreover, I am very pleased with my new breast. A week after my surgery, I returned to my active life and a month later, I was able to do active sports. In fact, I can say that I have completely returned to my old life. I continue with oral chemotherapy and hormone therapy. I am not working right now, but if I do not have any problems, I will be back to work in a few months. I constantly meet with people who have had difficulty in this treatment process and try to support them, which is a really good feeling. Because there may be times when our morale decreases during the treatment process, which happened to me. I was very motivated to talk to people who could not get through this period very easily. The disease process is long, but it really up to you whether you are going to get over it good or bad. If you are optimistic, the treatment process will be better.”

Press Coverage: dha.com | haberler.com | ntv.com