Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven answered questions about common cancer types, cancer symptoms, and new treatment approaches in cancer treatment.

What Are The Most Common Cancers?

The most common cancers differ between men and women. The main reason here is hormonal changes. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women today. This is followed by lung and bowel cancer. In men, prostate, lung, and colon cancers are in the first three ranks according to the incidence. One of the most important points to be considered here is that lung cancer is on the rise in women due to the increase in smoking.

Is It Possible to Change Risk Factors in Cancer?

Although it is difficult to say the direct cause of cancer, it is known that some risk factors cause it. While some of these are modifiable risk factors, some are listed as non-modifiable factors. For example, advanced age/aging. Lung cancer poses a risk for prostate cancer. However, neither aging nor gender is a modifiable risk factor. Likewise, as in breast cancer, genetic factors are non-modifiable. However, lifestyle changes are among the modifiable factors. Having a healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of many cancers. What are these lifestyle changes? Eating healthy, increasing the content of vegetables and fruits, and reducing the consumption of animal foods, especially processed meat. Exercising, staying away from obesity, and, of course, staying away from smoking first and foremost.

What Are the Most Important Elements of Cancer Treatment?

The most important elements of treatment are the changes in the treatment according to the disease, the extent of the disease, the person, and the age. Cancer surgery comes first in some of the diseases that are caught early. However, chemotherapy treatment is applied in medical oncology. Again, according to the patient and the condition of the disease, chemotherapy is applied to control the disease in a common disease as a post-operative prophylactic treatment. In this regard, targeted therapies and immunotherapies known as smart drugs are considered groundbreaking developments in oncology in recent years.

"Is it Possible to Cure Some Types of Cancer?"

The answer to the question of “Is It Possible to Treat Some Types of Cancer?” is “Absolutely Yes.” Cancer is now considered a curable disease. At this point, early diagnosis is very important. Especially for some types of cancer, screening methods are very valuable. Because with screening, a completely healthy individual can be examined without being sick or having complaints. It is known that for breast cancer, bowel cancer, cervical cancer, and even lung cancer if the disease is detected early with screening methods, mortality rates decrease. It is also recommended to apply the HPV vaccine as a standard for cervical cancer. As a screening, a smear test performed every 5 years is known as a standard practice in our country and the world. 

Why Is Immunotherapy Advantageous in Cancer Treatment?

Immunotherapy enables the body to fight cancer by increasing its immune system. It becomes effective without impairing the quality of life like chemotherapy. Immunotherapy both prolongs cancer survival and reduces hospital dependency. Because there are also types that can be used in the form of oral pills. It is known that besides having very few side effects, they are manageable effects. Although immunotherapies have been used for many years, they have been widely used especially in the last 5 years. And it has a place in the treatment of many types of cancer.

What Symptoms Indicate Cancer?

Early diagnosis and treatment of cancer are very important for survival. For early diagnosis, it is necessary to be aware of the symptoms. It is absolutely necessary to consult a doctor for symptoms such as a cough that does not go away despite treatment, weight loss, anemia detected later, and palpable masses in the body. Of course, some things can be done individually in the fight against cancer. Avoiding stress, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and exercising regularly are among the things that can be done to prevent cancer.