State Hospital screens thousands for cancer
A TOTAL of 1,418 breast screenings, 1,974 colon screenings, and 1,275 cervical screenings were performed by the cancer screening unit of the Lefkoşa Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in 2021, it has been revealed.
The figures were provided by nurse Çiğdem Adataş, who was speaking at a press conference held by the Health Ministry at the Grand Pasha hotel and casino in Lefkoşa as part of “April 1-7 Cancer Week”.
Ms Adataş also noted that a total of five cases of breast cancer, 129 cases of bowel cancer, and six cases of cervical cancer were detected as a result of the screening.
However, she pointed out that the number of cancer checks conducted was “well below” the intended number, and stated that her unit aims to create a screening network, and organise campaigns frequently, ensuring that otherwise healthy individuals also attend cancer screenings.
Dr Ömer Diker, who is the chief physician of the oncology unit at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital, also spoke at the press conference.
“In the fight against this disease, the motto of ‘early diagnosis saves lives’ is still pertinent, and will continue to be so,” he said.
“For this reason, we call on our people to apply to health centres in order to be screened for breast cancer, cervical cancer, bowl cancer, and lung cancer for those who smoke.”
Dr Diker also pointed out that “avoiding tobacco products and alcohol, avoiding obesity, maintaining a normal weight, exercising regularly, consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables, not consuming red meat more than once a week, and eating white meat, which is a source of protein, are the main forms of protection from cancer”.
Health Minister Dr Ali Pilli also gave a speech, in which he emphasised the importance of early diagnosis, and explained how a “Cancer Control Programme” that aims to widen the scope of cancer treatment in the TRNC in cooperation with the Eastern Mediterranean University, was launched in 2015 and is “constantly being developed”.
Raziye Kocaismail, chair of the Help Those with Cancer Association (Tulips) was present at the press conference, but also made a separate statement to mark Cancer Week.
She also highlighted the importance of early diagnosis, saying that emphasis should be placed on cancer screening programmes.
Mrs Kocaismail also announced that a delegation from Tulips will visit Parliament this month and ask that steps be made on issues such as “determining the male population over the age of 50, making PSA kits available in all health centres and hospitals for each individual, providing ultrasound and chest X-rays to all women who notice a problem with their breasts in October, providing stool analysis for everyone, male and female, whether they have intestinal problems or not, and providing a smear test for all women over a certain age”.
Mrs Kocaismail expressed her regret that “instead of protecting our country’s people with routine screenings, we are trying to treat them with expensive drugs once they have life-threatening cancer”.