Prof. from Memorial Ataşehir and Service Hospitals Department of General Surgery and Breast and Endocrine Surgery. Dr. Bülent Çitgez gave information about the misconceptions about cancer.
“Cancer is contagious”
Stating that cancer is not a contagious disease, Prof. Dr. Bülent Çitgez said that since cancer is not caused by bacteria or viruses, it is not transmitted from person to person through air or contact.
“Cancer occurs without symptoms”
Stating that not every tumor and every cancer develops in the same way, Prof. Dr. Bülent Çitgez said, “Since some types of cancer are immediately on the surface of the body, they can give symptoms even at a very early stage. Especially in breast, testis, lymph nodes or soft tissue tumors, swelling under the skin may be the first symptoms. However, tumors that form inside the body, such as the lungs, or in the intra-abdominal region can occur in advanced stages. For this reason, annual routine controls are of vital importance for early diagnosis.” said.
“Having a mammogram causes breast cancer”
Although there is a belief among the public that mammography can cause breast cancer, there is no such information in the medical literature. Dr. Bülent Çitgez said, “There is no information in many scientific studies that mammography triggers or prepares the ground for cancer. On the contrary, it is possible to detect breast cancer at an early stage with routine mammography examination. he said.
“Biopsy causes cancer to spread”
Stating that the knowledge that the biopsy causes the spread of cancer does not reflect the truth, Prof. Dr. Bülent Çitgez explained that even if this false information is thought to be true, since cancer treatment will be started immediately after the biopsy, there will not even be an opportunity for the cancer to spread.
“If there is no cancer patient in my family, I am not at risk”
Explaining that some types of cancer can be hereditary, Prof. Dr. Bülent Çitgez continued his words as follows:
“However, if we start with the example of breast cancer, the vast majority of patients are people who do not have cancer in their family. For this reason, it is not true that people who do not have cancer in their family will not have cancer. However, people with a family history of cancer should be more careful in terms of cancer. For this reason, it is important not to neglect routine health checks.”
"Men don't get breast cancer"
Stating that breast cancer cases are also seen in men, Prof. Dr. Bülent Çitgez noted that the rate of male breast cancer is much lower than that of women, and there is 100 male breast cancer case for every 1 female breast cancer cases.
“Herbal supplements are more effective than chemotherapy”
Underlining that herbal supplements are not more effective than chemotherapy, Prof. Dr. Bülent Çitgez continued as follows:
“Scientific studies show that there is no benefit in using herbal products instead of chemotherapy. Patients can use herbal products such as turmeric, propolis, black seed oil, which are used to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy due to their antioxidant properties. However, plants used for support purposes can reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. For this reason, it should not be forgotten that it may cause drug interactions, decrease the effectiveness of chemotherapy or increase its side effects as a result of its use with chemotherapy, and it should not be used together during the chemotherapy process.
“I have breast cancer, I will lose my breast”
Today, breast-conserving surgery comes to the fore in breast cancer surgeries, said Prof. Dr. Bülent Çitgez said, “Thanks to the developing technology and chemotherapy methods, breast-conserving surgery can be applied even to advanced stage breast cancers. In advanced breast cancers, chemotherapy treatments are applied to reduce the stage, and then breast preservation surgery can be performed. Even in diffuse tumors in the breast, the breast can be protected by surgical methods called Subcutaneous Mastectomy, in which the inside of the breast is emptied and silicone is placed. he said.
“The cancer will come back even though I'm cured”
Stating that the success rate increases in patients who are diagnosed and treated at an early stage, Prof. Dr. Bülent Çitgez said, “The risk of cancer, especially 5 years after the treatment, is almost the same as in people who have never had cancer. However, while there is a risk of cancer even in people who have never had cancer before, it is also known that people with a history of cancer have a higher risk. used the phrases.
“Breastfeeding women do not get breast cancer”
Explaining that breast cancer can develop wherever there is a breast, Prof. Dr. Bülent Çitgez said, “The risk of breast cancer decreases in lactating women due to hormonal conditions. A reduced risk does not mean that breastfeeding women will not get breast cancer. Therefore, regardless of the period, in the presence of a mass in the breast, a specialist should be consulted without wasting time.” said.
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