Age of Breast Cancer Prevalence Falls, yet Mortality Declines

Yeditepe University Kosuyolu Hospital General Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Neşet Köksal stated that breast cancer treatment is possible and the success rate of treatments increases considerably when diagnosed early. "According to statistics, one out of every 7-8 women in the world can get breast cancer at a certain period of her life. In parallel with this, the incidence of breast cancer at a young age is increasing today. However, before thinking they are safe, every young woman should start self-examination starting in her 20s. Thanks to early diagnosis, it is possible to win the fight against breast cancer."

Three Methods for Early Diagnosis

Underlining that there are three methods for early diagnosis of breast cancer, Prof. Dr. Neşet Köksal stated that firstly, women should perform regular manual breast self-examination starting from their 20s and that breast examination by a physician is necessary when there is a suspicious situation in the manual examination. Prof. Dr. Neşet Köksal warned that imaging methods such as mammography and/or breast ultrasound should be applied when there is a suspicious situation after the physician's examination and stated that by this way, it’s much more possible to both get an earlier diagnosis and reduce of loss of life due to breast cancer.

Prof. Dr. Köksal said that in recent years, people have become much more informed in our country with studies aimed at increasing social awareness. Prof. Dr. Köksal said that every woman between the ages of 30-40 should be checked by a specialist physician every 3 years. After the age of 40, annual mammographic controls should be performed. In women whose first-degree relatives were diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, screening should start 10 years before the age at which the cancer was detected."

Pointing out that regular mammography is also important against breast cancer, Prof. Dr. Köksal added that the loss of life due to breast cancer is significantly reduced thanks to regular mammography screenings.

Caution for Hereditary Risk and Gene Mutations!

“According to statistics, approximately 70-80 percent of breast cancer in women occurs after the age of 40. However, the more aggressive course of breast cancer seen under the age of 40 increases its importance." Prof. Dr. Neşet Köksal also said the following: "Hereditary breast cancers with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations constitute approximately '%15 of breast cancers. Having breast cancer in first-degree relatives such as mother and sister increases the risk of developing this disease 2 times. Women with BRCA gene mutation or with a family history of breast cancer may develop breast cancer at a younger age. For this reason, women in this group should not wait after the age of 40 to have breast cancer screening."

Merve Türk was Diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the Age of 29; "I Held on to Life Tightly”

Merve Türk, 29 years old, living in Istanbul, applied to the hospital after noticing a hardness and mass in her breast while taking a shower. Although she was first told that there was a mass in the bone, it was understood that she had breast cancer as a result of the examinations performed upon her application to Yeditepe University Kosuyolu Hospital General Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Neşet Köksal. Merve Türk, whose disease was caught at an early stage, stated that she held on to life without losing hope and started to regain her health after the surgery she underwent.

“Be On Alert For The Signals From Your Body”

Ms. Merve, who informed that her aunt had breast cancer and her mother had colon cancer before, stated that she did not lose hope because her disease was at an early stage after the diagnosis and said; "After I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I received a lot of support from my family, the institution I work for and people around me. However, I think that cancer is not taken seriously enough in the young age group. Until I was diagnosed with cancer, I had the misconception that I was still young, and cancer was far away from me. I advise everyone, especially young people, to listen and observe the symptoms and signals given by their bodies. Breast cancer can be cured, as long as it is realized and diagnosed at an early stage."