Over the years, cancer treatment has evolved and various approaches have been used to manage and control the disease. In recent times, Turkey has become a world leader in cancer treatment, attracting patients from all over the world. This article seeks to explore the nature of cancer, the treatment options available, and the factors that have contributed to Turkey's rise as a leading destination for cancer treatment.
Diagnosis Cancer
In order for cancer to be detected, cells in the body must begin to form tumors, grow uncontrollably, and begin to invade tissues. This unusual growth can be triggered by many factors such as environmental effects, lifestyle, genetic mutations, age and pregnancy. There are over 100 types of cancer, with some of the most common being breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer.
Risk Factors of Cancer
There are numerous factors that can increase your threat of developing cancer. Some of these factors include;
Genetics; Some inherited inheritable mutations can increase the threat of developing certain types of cancer, similar as BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations which increase the threat of bone and ovarian cancer.
Age; The threat of developing cancer increases as a person gets aged.
Hormonal Factors; Hormonal imbalances or changes, similar as those that do during gestation, can increase the threat of developing some types of cancer.
Environmental Factors; Exposure to certain substances, similar as tobacco bank, alcohol, ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and air pollution, can increase your threat of developing cancer.
Life Factors; Unhealthy life habits, similar as poor diet, lack of exercise, and being fat or fat, can increase your threat of developing cancer.
Medical Conditions; Certain medical conditions, similar as inflammation or habitual infections, can increase your threat of developing certain types of cancer.
It's important to note that having one or further of these threat factors doesn't inescapably mean a person will develop cancer, and numerous people who develop cancer have no identifiable threat factors. Also, some people may develop cancer despite taking way to reduce their threat, while others may noway develop cancer despite having multiple threat factors.
Types of Cancer
As we mentioned before, there are more than 100 types of cancer. Some commonly known types of cancer are:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Skin cancer (melanoma and non-melanoma)
- Bladder cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's)
- Brain and nervous system tumors
- Esophageal cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Bone cancer (osteosarcoma and others)
Additionally, each type of cancer can have different subtypes based on the specific characteristics of the tumor.
Cancer Treatments Types
Cancer is a disease that is categorized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of cells or certain genetic mutations. It remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Every year, around 500,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with a malignant tumoral disease, and one-third of these people die from this disease. Over the years, medical advances have led to the development of various cancer treatments, as well as more recently cancer vaccines.
It should not be forgotten that especially high morale and motivation play an important role in cancer treatment.
There are many treatment options for cancer, depending on the type and stage of the disease. We can list these options as:
Surgery
Surgical removal of the tissue is the oldest and most common method of treating solid tumors. The main goal of surgery is to remove all or as much of the cyst/tumor as possible. In some cases, nearby lymph nodes may also be removed to prevent cancer cells from spreading.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or radiation to destroy cancer cells. It can be applied externally, using a machine to direct radiation to the tumor, or internally, by injecting radioactive material directly into or near the tumor. Reducing the tumor size by killing cancerous cells with radiotherapy facilitates the surgical procedure and offers a more efficient and effective treatment. It is often used in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is treatment using anticancer drugs to destroy cancer cells or control their growth. It can be used alone or in combination with surgery and radiotherapy in cancer treatment. While chemotherapy tries to destroy cancerous cells in the body, it also affects normal cells and causes side effects. Possible side effects due to chemotherapy and the severity of these side effects vary according to the drugs taken and personal sensitivities. The normal cells most affected by chemotherapy drugs are the cells that multiply the fastest in the body. These include hair, blood cells that develop in the bone marrow, and cells in the digestive system. For this reason, the most undesirable effects of drugs are seen on these systems. Don't let this scare you, because these cells multiply in a short time due to their rapid proliferation and regeneration feature, thus eliminating the negative effects of chemotherapy.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies are drugs or other substances that block molecules that are involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells. They are designed to prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells and reduce damage to healthy cells. Examples of targeted therapies include tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), monoclonal antibodies, and angiogenesis inhibitors.
Immunotherapy
In the fight against cancer, apart from radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the person's own immune system can also be used for treatment. It is a type of treatment that helps to destroy cancer cells by supporting body resistance. Examples of immunotherapy include immunosuppressants, anti-cancer drugs, and adoptive cell transfer.
It is also worth noting that after many treatment methods, cancer vaccines have been produced with new technological developments. If you want to learn about cancer vaccines, you can read our article "What is Cancer Vaccine? Types of Cancer Vaccines".
Turkey's Emergence as a Global Leader in Cancer Care
Turkey has become the best place for cancer treatment for many reasons. Some of the main reasons are:
Modern Medical Technology
Turkey has invested heavily in modern medical technology, including modern facilities and equipment for cancer treatment. Turkey has world-class hospitals and clinics that offer the latest treatments and procedures for cancer patients. Considering how important the belief in success is in the treatment of many diseases, knowing that technology has advanced so much will contribute positively to the patient.
Experienced Doctors and Medical Staff
Turkey has very experienced doctors and medical staff, many of whom have received education and training in the United States, Europe, and other developed countries. They are fluent in English and many other languages and provide personalized patient care so patients can feel at home. Because the slightest stress experienced by the patient negatively affects the treatment process.
Cheap Treatment Costs
Turkey offers cheaper cancer treatment than many other countries. The cost of treatment in Turkey is usually lower than in the United States, Canada or Western Europe, without compromising quality.
Convenient Location
Turkey is located between Europe and Asia, making it easy to get patients from all over the world. The country has well-developed transport infrastructure, including an airport, modern roads and railways, which facilitate the transport of patients abroad.
Best Guest Houses and Tourist Destinations
Turkey is known for its warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. Many patients and their families choose to combine their cancer treatment with a holiday in Turkey, taking advantage of the country's tourist attractions, such as luxury resorts, restaurants and historical sites.
Finally, Turkey has become the destination of choice for cancer treatment because of its advanced medical technology, experienced doctors and medical staff, affordable treatment costs, good conditions and excellent hospitality and facilities. his tour. Patients from all over the world choose Turkey for their cancer treatment needs and receive high-quality care in a supportive environment.
