Doctors praised for cancer clinic efforts

TWO doctors in Lefkoşa have been hailed for their efforts to tackle breast cancer after they diagnosed two patients in the early stages of the disease within weeks of setting up a new clinic.

Radiologists Fatma Çelik Yabul and Sinem Şığıt İkiz made the diagnoses after opening a breast cancer radiology polyclinic next to Lefkoşa State Hospital’s accident and emergency department last month, it was revealed this week.

The two patients were “quickly referred to the necessary specialists” following the discoveries, the hospital’s deputy chief doctor, Adil Özyılkan, said in a statement.

Women can have themselves checked at the clinic by making an appointment directly or with a referral from a doctor.

They are advised to bring any previous mammography or ultrasonography reports with them. Those suspected of having breast cancer are offered a biopsy.

A spokesman said the clinic’s services were available to “everyone” and that there were no age restrictions.

Help Those with Cancer Association (Tulips) founding chairman Raziye Kocaismail praised Dr Yabul and Dr İkiz for their “admirable” actions.

“In a very short time, two diagnoses have been made for people who were totally unaware [that they had cancer],” she said.

“This is something which deserves congratulations. This is a start in the fight against cancer.”

Mrs Kocaismail said early diagnosis of breast cancer was the “most important factor” in improving a patient’s chance of survival. She said a mobile clinic should also be provided to travel around the country’s villages because it was “not easy to get people to go to hospitals”.