School of Oncology - Presented Innovative Methods Used In The Treatment Of Cancer.

The meeting themed “Innovative Treatments in Cancer” organized by the Cancer School in cooperation with Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and Medstar Cancer Center on Sunday, May 25, 2014, at Antalya Atatürk Cultural Center, hosted many participants.

Participating as a speaker at the meeting held with the cooperation of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and Medstar Cancer Center, Memorial Health Group Antalya General Surgery Department Head Prof. Dr. Alihan Gürkan, Medstar Cancer Center Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Specialist Prof. Dr. Akın Yıldız and Medstar Cancer Center Radiology and Interventional Radiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Saim Yılmaz gave information about innovative cancer treatments applied in cancer surgery, imaging techniques, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

The Head of Memorial Health Group Antalya Oncology Center, who also attended the meeting as a moderator and made the opening speech. Dr. Mustafa Özdoğan stated that cancer is not a disease that is cured in clinics and said, "Cancer is a social phenomenon. Our duty is to leave our clinics and explain this disease, to eliminate the fear in the society and to create a strategy on how to fight this disease."

Emphasizing that cancer in society is equated with death, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Özdoğan, pointing out that there are 200 types of cancer, stated that they do not face a single disease. Mentioning that there are life-saving measures in many types of cancer, Prof. Dr. Özdoğan emphasized that serious progress will be made in the near future.

Cancer is Preventable!

Mentioning that 160-200 thousand cancer cases occur annually in Turkey, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Özdoğan said, “If we can create a conscious society, we can eliminate 70 thousand cancers without bringing them to clinics. By eliminating smoking, we can eliminate the other 1/3 of cancer-related deaths. We can destroy another 1/3 of it by eating healthy and protecting from obesity. “Many cancers can now be detected and treated early. In many hospitals, our doctors are well-equipped. 10 years ago, cancer meant death. However, we can eradicate cancer by making some changes in our daily lives such as healthy eating, not smoking and exercising," he added.

Emphasizing that they can identify cancer cells with imaging methods, Prof. Dr. Özdoğan added, “We are imaging with such chemical substances that we can see the type and spread of cancer down to the smallest detail.” Underlining that a revolution has been made in stem cell transplantation, he stated that as cancer drugs increase, the loss of life decreases.

As Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, we support such social responsibility projects.

Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Menderes Türel, who attended the meeting, drew attention to the fact that there are important developments in the treatment of a disease such as cancer that disturbs the society. Mentioning that the individual has great responsibilities in the prevention and treatment of cancer, Mayor Türel stated that the risks of catching this disease can be reduced with easy precautions that can be taken in daily life. Stating that technology and Turkish physicians are transforming cancer into a disease with a cure, Mayor Türel underlined that as Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, they will always support these and similar social responsibility projects.

“Now, by using the closed surgery method, it is possible for the cancer patient to recover faster and to start other cancer treatments faster!”

Attending the meeting as a speaker, Memorial Health Group Antalya General Surgery Department Head Prof.Dr. Alihan Gürkan gave information about new treatments in cancer surgery. Emphasizing that surgery is not the only treatment for cancer, Prof. Dr. Gürkan emphasized that with developing treatment methods, many types of cancer can be treated without surgery 15 years from now. Prof. Dr. Gürkan stated that in the past, surgery caused problems because it was difficult for elderly patients to tolerate it, and that it is now possible for surgeons to operate without fear with the increase in the number of doctors in hospitals and intensive care units and the support of infrastructure.