The woman, who learned she had cancer with the guidance of her family doctor, regained her health with early diagnosis.

Living in Sarıyer, 53-year-old Hatice Şen was referred to the hospital by her family physician at Sarıyer No. 1 Family Health Center, where she went due to the illnesses she was experiencing.

Şen, who went to Seyrantepe Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, was diagnosed with colon cancer following examinations.

Şen, whose cancer was diagnosed early thanks to the guidance of his family doctor, recovered after a period of treatment at the hospital.

Dr. Hamza Ağca, a family physician at Sarıyer No. 1 Family Health Center, spoke to an Anadolu Agency (AA) reporter about the importance of cancer screenings and the treatment process of Hatice Şen, who survived cancer thanks to early diagnosis.

Ağca stated that the duty of family health centers is to take precautions before illness occurs and to prevent it from occurring, adding that taking measures to protect public health, such as cancer screenings and vaccinations, is the most important task for this.

Ağca emphasized that citizens should have cancer screenings at family health centers, stating that three cancers are the most important ones to be screened for.

Ağca stated that they are screening women for breast cancer, which is at the forefront among deaths with known causes, and noted the following:

For this reason, women between the ages of 40 and 69 should have a mammogram every two years. Another screening, which we also perform at family health centers, is cervical cancer screening. For this reason, women between the ages of 30 and 65 should also have an HPV DNA test every five years. These screenings are available at all family health centers. A third screening is colorectal cancer screening, which is the cancer screening we perform in the colon. The entire population, men and women between the ages of 50 and 70, can have this screening every two years.

Ağca stated that citizens should consult their family physicians at family health centers for these screenings, saying, "Because these screenings are the most effective method in the fight against cancer. Therefore, with these screenings, we will reduce both mortality and disability. Ultimately, we will have fulfilled our duty, and our people will live disease-free and healthy lives."

Dr. Ağca explained that patients can present with all sorts of complaints, saying, "Abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, illness, or even a change in stool color. Ultimately, when we saw these symptoms, and when we saw that they were suitable for screening and in the appropriate age group, we had the procedure done. Ultimately, we contacted the hospital for the next step. He's also a very well-adjusted patient, thankfully. So, he's now over his illness. He had lost weight, but he regained it. He's successfully continuing his fight against cancer, and he's no different from the average citizen."

Ağca explained that they cooperate with the Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening and Education Center (KETEM) when necessary and with the hospital when necessary, and continued:

The patient described her complaints: weight loss, fatigue... We then referred Hatice Şen to the hospital. There, she consulted with the relevant specialists, including gastroenterology and general surgery. Various other necessary tests were performed, and as a result, her treatment was determined. Ultimately, this isn't a condition that can be treated in a single location. It's a process that requires collaboration among primary care family health centers, secondary care hospitals, and tertiary care university hospitals. Ultimately, our patient navigated this process quite well and has now regained her health.

Ağca advised citizens to have regular checkups at family health centers, stating that if a diagnosis is made, patients are directed to the relevant health institution, and that the system should work this way.

Hatice Şen stated that she regularly had her blood tested every month and took medication, but her blood values ​​never increased.

Şen explained that the family physician at the Family Health Center later made an appointment and referred him to Seyrantepe Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, and that a colonoscopy revealed masses in his intestines.

Şen stated that he decided to undergo surgery during this process and that the masses were removed as a result of the surgery.

Emphasizing that early diagnosis saves lives, Şen stated that he is now healthy and that he is being checked every three months.

Şen said, "At first, I felt sorry for myself. Then I said, 'I will beat this disease.' I had surgery and decided to beat it. I'm fine now, I'm happy."

Şen, who explained that he had symptoms such as blood in his stool, abdominal pain and low blood counts, said, "I had diarrhea and constipation. I'm about to get rid of them now."