«It’s up to us to prevent 1/3 of cancers»

Oncology Specialist Dr. Abdallah Shbair stated that it is thought that approximately 30 million people will be diagnosed with cancer by 2040 and said, “It is in our hands to prevent 1/3 of cancers. However, cancer is the second leading cause of death both in our country and in the world. For this reason, it is of great importance to raise awareness of cancer in the society.

“CANCER IS THE CAUSE OF EVERY 5 DEATH IN OUR COUNTRY”

Stating that 1 out of every 5 deaths in Turkey is caused by cancer, Uzm. Dr. Abdallah Shbair said, “Cancer is the second most common cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. Cancer is the cause of 1 out of every 6 deaths in the world and 1 out of every 5 deaths in our country. It is predicted that approximately 30 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in 2040. Considering the increasing rate of cancer prevalence, prevention or control of risk factors that cause cancer reveals the importance of therapeutic applications.

“CANCER CAN AFFECT EVERYONE, WITHOUT SAYING YOUNG AND OLD”

Saying that cancer can affect anyone, Dr. Dr. Shbair said, “Cancer can affect anyone, young or old. But aging is a risk factor for cancer development. The risk of cancer increases with age. Due to other health problems that come with aging, the cellular repair mechanism of the person begins to become less effective. Therefore, aging is one of the main factors for the development of cancer.

“30-50 PERCENT OF CANCERS ARE PREVENTABLE”

Shbair, who said that it is possible to reduce cancer-related deaths by 1/3 with timely effective interventions to preventable risk factors, continued as follows:

“About 1 in 3 deaths from cancer; It is caused by behavioral, environmental and nutritional risk factors. Risk factors such as smoking, obesity, poor diet in terms of vegetables and fruits, insufficient physical activity, exposure to the harmful effects of sunlight and alcohol use constitute one-third of cancer-related deaths. Smoking alone is responsible for 22 percent of cancer-related deaths. Today, 30-50 percent of cancers can be prevented by avoiding risk factors. In addition, the probability of recovery is high if early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are determined.

MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER

Referring to the measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of cancer, Abdallah Shbair said, “The most important factor affecting the success of cancer treatment is early diagnosis. For this reason, having a check-up once a year is of great importance for the early diagnosis of not only cancer but also many diseases. Regular exercise, healthy eating, avoiding alcohol and tobacco products, avoiding processed and ready-made foods, avoiding unnecessary drug use and unnecessary radiological examinations, limiting sugary and sweetened products, not staying in the sun for a long time, especially at noon when the sun’s rays are effective, and staying at a healthy weight. It can significantly reduce the cancer burden,” he concluded.