Cancer, defined as a malignant disease that arises from the uncontrolled growth and proliferation of certain cells in the body, remains one of the most intensively studied topics in contemporary medical science.

Pointing out that cancer cases have increased significantly and the age of onset has been steadily decreasing, Assoc. Prof. Veysel Haksöyler, Medical Oncology Specialist at Medline Adana Hospital provided valuable insights saying, “Like any other disease, cancer has various early warning signs. However, none of these are exclusive to cancer; they may also indicate other medical conditions. Therefore, every signal the body gives should be taken seriously, and routine health check-ups should not be neglected to ensure early diagnosis.”

Early diagnosis is crucial

Emphasizing that undesirable outcomes can arise in cancer if it is not diagnosed and treated early and appropriately, Dr. Veysel Haksöyler says “Early diagnosis plays a critical role in all types of cancer. Nevertheless, when the right treatment is administered at the right time, it is possible to achieve promising outcomes regardless of the organ or type of cancer.”

Advancements in treatment

Noting that significant progress has been made in cancer treatment over the past decade, Dr. Veysel Haksöyler states, “One of the major advancements is the use of smart drugs, which have led to a substantial reduction in side effects and positive results in many cancer types that were previously untreatable. Unlike chemotherapy, these drugs specifically target cancer cells without harming healthy cells. In particular, in the last three years, new medications classified under immunotherapy—strengthening the immune system’s own warrior cells to combat cancer—have shown encouraging outcomes, even in advanced stages of the disease, with minimal side effects,” he explains. As a result of these novel treatments, longer survival has been achieved in many cancer types once considered hopeless.

Misinformation poses a risk

Underlining that one of the major issues in today’s cancer treatment landscape is misinformation, Dr. Veysel Haksöyler says, “Patients often struggle to access accurate information about their condition and treatment. Misinformation—unscientific and baseless content passed around by word of mouth—can cause significant psychological and physical harm. In some cases, it even leads to serious delays in treatment.”

Take early symptoms seriously

Dr. Veysel Haksöyler reiterates that, as with many diseases, cancer has several early signs. “However, since these signs are not specific to cancer and may point to other, sometimes less severe, conditions, every alert from the body should be carefully evaluated. Routine health screenings should not be neglected,” he says, recommending that individuals consult a specialist physician calmly for evaluation if any of the following symptoms occur:

• A palpable lump or mass anywhere on the body (e.g., breast, neck, arm, leg, etc.)
• Weight loss, loss of appetite
• Prolonged fever of unknown cause
• Non-healing wounds or persistent mouth ulcers
• Unexplained bruising on the skin
• Persistent fatigue, tiredness, paleness, jaundice
• Difficulty swallowing
• After age 40: burning sensation or pain in the stomach, constipation, blood in stool
• Unexplained hoarseness
• Persistent and severe cough, blood in sputum, chest pain, shortness of breath
• Vaginal bleeding in postmenopausal women
• Newly developed abdominal swelling
• In men: frequent urination, split urine stream, burning sensation during urination, presence of blood in urine
• Bone pain
• Persistent and severe headache, vision disturbances, balance problems, dizziness, unexplained nausea and vomiting
• Development of a new mole, or changes in size, colour, shape, bleeding, or itching of an existing mole