Early breast cancer diagnosis saves lives, experts say at Istanbul meeting

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ISTANBUL, Türkiye — The Turkish Cancer Society stressed that early diagnosis, timely treatment and patient support can save lives during a Breast Cancer Awareness Month meeting held in Istanbul.

The press meeting, organized on October 5, 2026, at CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel with Rent Go as transportation sponsor, brought together medical experts, public figures and members of the press. Singer Betül Demir, actress Perihan Ünlücan, presenter Yağmur Kalyoncu and many journalists attended the event, where specialists discussed breast cancer awareness, diagnosis and treatment.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women

According to the figures shared at the meeting, around 2.4 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, while 694,000 women lost their lives to the disease.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer type among women. As of 2024, approximately 8.2 million women were living with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Experts at the meeting emphasized that early awareness, timely diagnosis and access to comprehensive treatment play a major role in improving outcomes. The message was clear: breast cancer awareness should not be limited to October, and women should not postpone their health checks.

Turkish Cancer Society calls for early awareness

Speaking at the meeting, Turkish Cancer Society President Burak Duruman said breast cancer should be seen not only as a medical issue, but also as a social responsibility.

Duruman underlined that behind the statistics are women, families and lives changed by the disease. He said the fight against cancer should not be limited to treatment alone, adding that patients and their families may also face psychological, social and economic challenges during the process.

He said the Turkish Cancer Society approaches cancer care with a holistic perspective and considers patient support an essential part of the fight against the disease.

“Patients must not be left alone”

Duruman said early awareness, timely access to health services and supporting patients throughout treatment are shared responsibilities.

He invited women to avoid delaying their health checks and to follow the screening and control programs recommended for them. According to Duruman, early detection can provide important advantages in planning treatment and improving the course of the disease.

The meeting also highlighted that the aim of awareness campaigns is not to create fear, but to help women act at the right time with accurate information.

Treatment should be planned according to each patient

Medical oncologist Prof. Dr. Yeşim Eralp said early diagnosis is a key factor in breast cancer treatment. She emphasized that breast cancer is not a single, uniform disease and that treatment should be personalized according to the biological characteristics and stage of the tumor.

Eralp noted that developments in medical oncology have expanded treatment options for patients. She said diagnosis at an early stage can provide important advantages for treatment planning.

She also stressed that women should continue their health checks according to their age, personal risk factors and doctors’ recommendations.

Radiotherapy is part of a multidisciplinary approach

Radiation oncologist Prof. Dr. Berrin Pehlivan said breast cancer treatment does not rely on one method alone. She explained that different treatment options are evaluated together depending on the characteristics of the disease and the needs of the patient.

Pehlivan said radiotherapy is an important component of treatment for suitable patients. She noted that treatment planning takes into account many factors, including the stage of the disease, tumor characteristics and the type of surgery performed.

She also pointed to technological advances in radiation oncology, saying these developments allow treatment to be planned more precisely. The aim, she said, is to target the cancerous area while protecting surrounding healthy tissue as much as possible.

Pehlivan emphasized that surgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology should be evaluated together when building an appropriate treatment plan.

Warning signs should not be ignored

General surgeon Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aylin Hande Gökçe drew attention to the importance of early consultation and proper medical evaluation.

Gökçe said women should not ignore signs such as a lump in the breast or armpit, changes in the breast skin or nipple, or differences in breast shape. She added that not every change means cancer, but suspicious findings should always be assessed by a physician.

She said surgical treatment, when needed, is an important part of a multidisciplinary plan for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Early consultation, she added, helps ensure that diagnosis and treatment begin without delay.

The goal is not fear, but timely action

The Turkish Cancer Society said its Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities aim to spread accurate information and strengthen public awareness about early diagnosis.

The society called on women to avoid postponing their health, attend recommended check-ups regularly and follow the advice of healthcare professionals.

The main message from the meeting was that breast cancer awareness should continue beyond October. When symptoms such as a lump in the breast or armpit, changes in the nipple or skin, or visible differences in breast shape are noticed, women should seek medical evaluation.

The Turkish Cancer Society’s message was direct: the goal is not to create fear, but to remind women of the importance of accurate information, early awareness and timely access to healthcare.

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