World Cancer Day, February 4, aims to prevent millions of preventable deaths each year by both increasing awareness about cancer, and compelling governments and individuals around the world to act against the disease. Cancer is caused by five main behavioral and nutritional risk factors, such as tobacco use, high body mass index (being overweight or obese), poor and unbalanced diet, insufficient physical activity and alcohol consumption. However, in today's conditions, it is known that approximately one-third of cancers are preventable by avoiding risk factors and applying existing evidence-based prevention strategies. It is also a known fact that many cancers have a high probability of being cured if they are diagnosed early and treated appropriately. Internationally respected organizations such as the International Cancer Control Organization and the World Health Organization, which work intensively in the field of cancer, state that every action, small or big, will lead to long-term, positive changes, and call on people to avoid the following risk factors in the way of preventing cancer: -Tobacco use, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products -Being overweight or obese -Unhealthy diet that includes low fruit and vegetable intake -Lack of physical activity -Alcohol use -Sexually transmitted Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection -Exposure to hepatitis or other carcinogenic infections -Ionizing and ultraviolet radiation exposure -Urban air pollution -Indoor smoke caused by the use of solid fuelNational Cancer Screening Program carried out in our country Breast cancer screening; Women between the ages of 40-69 undergo a clinical breast examination once a year and mammography is performed every 2 years. Cervical cancer screening; Women between the ages of 30-65 are tested for HPV-DNA every 5 years. Colon cancer screening; A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is performed for women and men between the ages of 50-70 every 2 years, and a colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years. If necessary, people are referred to secondary and tertiary health institutions for further examinations since diagnosis and treatment services are provided by secondary and tertiary health institutions. The “4 February World Cancer Day” message of the Ministry of Health: “Everyone has the right to be protected from cancer. In order to be protected from cancer and get screened; please visit Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening and Training Centers (KETEM), Healthy Life Centers (SHM) and Family Health Centers (ASM), which serve under Community Health Centers (CHC).” For more detailed information about National Cancer Screening Programs:https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/kanserhttps://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/
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