Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Department of Community Health, Turkish Colon and Rectal Surgery Association organized a seminar within the scope of colon cancer awareness month activities. Speaking at the seminar, Turkish Colon and Rectum Surgery Association Board Member Prof. Dr. Cem Terzi, stating that cancer cases increase in direct proportion with obesity and diabetes, said, "Everyone over 50 should have a colonoscopy."
Awareness studies on colon cancer, which is diagnosed by 1 million people in the world and 20 thousand people in Turkey every year, continue with the cooperation of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Department of Community Health and Turkish Colon and Rectal Surgery Association. A seminar was held at Buca Social Life Campus to explain the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. In the seminar attended by the residents of the nursing home and members of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Healthy Aging Center, General Surgery Specialist-Turkish Colon and Rectum Surgery Association Board Member Prof. Dr. Cem Terzi made a presentation with the title of “Colorectal Cancers”.
“There is an increase in colon cancer”
In the presentation where information about the formation, causes, symptoms and treatment of colon cancer, also known as "colon cancer" among the society, Prof. Dr. Cem Terzi stated that the number of cancers has increased in Turkey recently. Terzi said, “One of the reasons why we are holding this meeting is the recent increase in the incidence of colon cancer. The number of stomach cancers is decreasing in Turkey, but colon cancer is increasing in men and women. When we investigate the reason, one of the biggest reasons is industrialization and industrialization. We see the same situation in industrialized and developed countries. As the diet changes, there is an increase in cancer. The increase in diabetes and obesity is directly proportional to the increase in cancer. As Turkey develops, the level of welfare increases, the type of nutrition changes. We are becoming a fatter and diabetic society with less physical activity. As smoking and excessive alcohol use increase, it triggers cancer. Many processed foods such as packaged foods, industrial products, carbonated drinks, processed meat products, frozen foods are affected.
“Everyone over 50 should have a colonoscopy”
Underlining that in order to prevent cancer, precautions should be taken first before a cancer case is seen, Terzi said, “The disease descends towards young ages. It is currently the third most common cancer in Turkey. This disease should be prevented without waiting for the symptoms of the disease. Control and eating habits are very important here. I recommend everyone over the age of 3 to have a colonoscopy every 50 years.
Psychological factors that trigger cancer
After Terzi, Specialist Psychologist Eren Korkmaz from Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Community Health and Education Branch made a presentation titled "Lifelong Development in Health and Disease". Korkmaz drew attention to the psychosocial aspects of cancer.
Expressing that health and disease are in constant interaction, he gave information about the psychological factors that trigger cancer. After the presentations, the Healthy Aging Center choir took the stage and sang songs.
Awareness activities continue
Within the scope of colon cancer awareness month activities, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality colors the historical Clock Tower with blue light, the symbol of colon cancer, every Thursday throughout March. It is aimed to inform the people of Izmir about colon cancer throughout March with the posters hung on the billboards, stops, transportation vehicles at different points in Izmir, and the warnings on LED screens. Health literacy work is carried out on the subject through social media accounts through Distance Multi-Learning-UCE. Brochures explaining the ways to prevent colon cancer are distributed to the people of Izmir.
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