European University of Lefke (EUL) Vocational School of Health Services organized a panel themed “Cancer at All Points”.  Prof. Dr. Tahir Ercan Patıroğlu made a presentation on “Cancer: What is it? Clinical Findings, Diagnosis and Treatment Methods” and Dr. Fuat Türköz Çiner on “TRNC Cancer Statistics, Diagnosis and Treatment Facilities” in the panel which took place in the EUL Rauf Raif Denktaş Conference Hall.

Stating that the cells, which are the basic unit of the organism, multiplies at a certain rate and under control, Patıroğlu said that “A group of cells grows regularly, a group of cells grows only when needed, while a group of cells never grow.” Patıroğlu, who said that the system controlling the cell proliferation gains an infinite proliferative property, even the cells which are not proliferating and which do not grow at all, expressed that this change leads to the disease known as cancer.

Pointing out that there are diverse range of cancer signs and they differ according to the organ that the disease is found and to the level of diseases spread, Patıroğlu stated that first of all individuals must be very careful in the phase of existence of the findings and that they should consult a relevant doctor. Patıroğlu listed the possible signs of cancer as; swellings of the parts of the body with an unknown origin, roughness, wounds which does not heal or has a delayed healing, changes is colour and size of the moles and warts, unusual bleedings, swallowing difficulties, aphonia, cough that does not go away, differences in urination and defecation habits, unaccountable fewer and weight loss and explained these symptoms in detail.

Patıroğlu said that, if there are signs of cancer in the complaints or screening tests, it should absolutely be investigated and added that “The first intervention is the rest of the patient, evaluation of complaints, examination and some laboratory tests”. Patıroglu stated that the treatment decision changes according to the diseases condition and phase, as well as the patient’s age and general health status. Pointing out that most of the time, the aim is to cure the patient completely, Patıroğlu said that “In the cases where this is not possible, it is aimed to control the disease and to reduce the complaints as far as possible”.

Pointing out that there are four main field in the fight against cancer Çiner said that “The fight against cancer is possible with action plans that complete each other in four fields and with a comprehensive cancer control plan that includes these actions”. Çiner stated the first of these fields as the treatment field that includes rehabilitation and the enhance of the living conditions and added that in this concept, the activities that will increase the quality of life of the patients who have completed the treatment and that will ensure that they stay productive and not get out of social life should be implemented as part of the treatment. Çiner said that “Otherwise, the decrease in the patient’s quality of life will affect the success of the treatment in a negative way”.

Stating the seconds field of the disease as prevention plans field (such as fighting against smoking, and obesity, eating healthy) that can prevent the preventable ones, Çiner stated the third field as the early diagnosis and scanning field of activity, that will ensure the early diagnosis of the cases with an effective comprehensiveness.

Pointing out that, the fourth step should be a cancer data recording process in international standards, Çiner said that, “Because, in the light of data obtained from recording, very important information can be obtained about what is the priority of our country, how the treatment should be, early diagnosis and what should be emphasized when scanning. Cancer registry is a must in the case of cancer in order to use the resources of the country effectively and efficiently and to be successful in the fight against cancer”.