He beat cancer with early diagnosis thanks to the news he watched

After watching a news report promoting breast cancer awareness, 45-year-old hairdresser Serpil Barış, who lives in Ankara, noticed a lump in her breast during a self-examination. Barış went to the hospital and, after further screening and tests, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.

Barış, who regained his health after approximately two years of treatment, now supports women undergoing cancer treatment.

"I beat cancer, I think everyone can beat cancer"

Barış explained his experience to an AA correspondent.

Barış stated that she did not pay enough attention to her health by ignoring the pain in her breast, and continued as follows:

"After learning I had stage two breast cancer, I asked my doctors about the process. They told me I would need surgery and have my entire breast removed. I wasn't upset during this process because I thought I wouldn't have to undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapy after early diagnosis. I was devastated when they told me I would have chemotherapy and radiation therapy after surgery."

Barış stated that he always takes care of his hair due to his profession, and that he was saddened to think that a client who had previously been treated for cancer would experience the same situation after he cut her hair to a length three.

Barış, who explained that he cut his own hair when he started chemotherapy, said that he had a hard time telling his family when he learned he had cancer, and that after he beat the cancer, his family felt a festive mood.

Barış, who stated that after overcoming his illness, he contacted cancer patients and tried to support them, said, "I overcame cancer, and I believe everyone can overcome cancer. I'm working to provide services to cancer patients regarding their hair and care, to bring hope to everyone."

"Early diagnosis changes the treatment process"

Dr. Elifcan Haberal, a Surgical Oncology Specialist at Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, also stated that her patient, Serpil Barış, completed the treatment process in a shorter time thanks to early diagnosis.

Haberal, who informed that microcalcification, commonly known as calcification, was detected in Barış's mammogram, said that chemotherapy and radiotherapy were applied according to the stage of the tumor.

Haberal emphasized that each patient's treatment is personalized, saying, "Thanks to early diagnosis, our patient's chemotherapy regimen was reduced. She beat cancer and motivated everyone around her. Perhaps 10 women around her got screening mammograms thanks to her."

Haberal stated that according to 2023 data, 38-48 percent of newly diagnosed cancer cases were diagnosed through screening mammography at Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening and Training Centers, and that early diagnosis affects both treatment methods and reduces chemotherapy doses.