Studies on cancer treatment are undoubtedly one of the most emphasized issues in the 21st century. Pointing out that very important developments have also been experienced in this difficult journey, Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven stated that cancer-related loss of life has decreased by as much as 30 percent in the last 30 years. Dr. Öven attributed this result to the development of screening methods as well as the effective results obtained from new treatments.

Stating that 1.9 million new cancer cases and over 600 thousand cancer-related deaths were reported in the USA in 2022, Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven pointed out that there has been a decrease in cancer-related loss of life in the last 30 years. Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven: “We can say that this important progress in cancer, which is one of the most important health problems in the whole world, is due to the increase in the life expectancy of patients with early diagnosis and new treatments with screening methods, even in cancer that is quite mortal, such as lung cancer.” Dr. Öven gave the following information about the treatments that help achieve gratifying results in cancer treatment.

The DNA of the Cancer Can be Detected!

In recent years, it has been reported that it is possible to diagnose cancer at an early stage by detecting cancer DNA in a simple blood test with the liquid biopsy method. Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven: “Being able to determine the disorder in the genetics of this circulating cancer cell and give targeted treatments directly has prolonged survival in many types of cancer, especially lung cancer.” Despite these developments, lung cancer causes the end of more than 350 lives a day all over the world and is still the leading cause of cancer-related loss of life. Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven continued her words as follows: “Smoking is the most important cause of lung cancer. Therefore, the important point is to prevent the development of the disease, so despite all the studies, it will be important to avoid smoking."

“New Treatment Methods Have Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment”

Apart from smart drugs, new treatment methods such as immunotherapy have been used in the last 10 years and they are groundbreaking in cancer treatment. Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven:

“With immunotherapy, the body's immune system is stimulated to fight cancerous cells, while normal cells are not harmed. Therefore, there are no side effects associated with chemotherapy. Again, with cart cell therapy, one of the new treatment methods, T cells, which are immune system cells, can be separated from the blood of the person, processed in the laboratory, and given to the person again to fight cancer cells. This method is mostly used in leukemia patients today. In addition, studies on the use of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 in cancer continue in our country."

 Environmental Factors are Very Important

Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven: ''Screening and preventive treatment strategies used in healthy people to reduce the frequency of cancer are widely used all over the world. In addition, in 2019, 51 percent of men and 36 percent of women worldwide were found to be linked to environmental, metabolic, and behavioral risk factors as the cause of death in cancer cases.

Although smoking is one of these risk factors, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and obesity can be counted as other modifiable risk factors. To reduce these modifiable risk factors, counseling is an important part of preventive medicine.”

“Screening Methods are Recommended as a Standard For Many Cancers”

Underlining that screening methods are recommended as a standard for lung cancer in high-risk people who smoke for more than 30 years with bowel cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer in women all over the world and in our country, Prof. Dr. Öven: “The benefit of screening in pancreatic cancer, one of the most feared cancers, is unclear. However, in the screening study, which included 1,731 patients with family history and high risk for pancreatic cancer, pancreatic cancer was detected at an earlier stage in screening with frequent imaging methods and survival was found to be longer."

Exercise is Important in Both Protection and Treatment

Reminding that the importance of regular exercise in cancer prevention has been demonstrated by many studies, Yeditepe University Hospitals Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Bala Başak Öven also states that exercise is important during treatment. “The American Cancer Society recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week to reduce fatigue in cancer patients. Such sports activities as hiking, cycling, and swimming are provided on-site. Regular exercise in patients receiving chemotherapy increases cardiovascular fitness, reduces fatigue, and regulates sleep disorders. Regular exercise before the operation in patients with lung cancer reduces the length of hospital stay and postoperative complications.” 

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