Breast Cancer is Now the Most Common Cancer Type

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that the most common type of cancer is breast cancer, not lung cancer. Drawing attention to the fact that small increases in the incidence of breast cancer in women have been known for years, Anadolu Medical Center General Surgery Specialist and Breast Health Center Director Prof. Dr. Metin Çakmakçı made the statement, "With the effect of awareness about tobacco use in the world and the increase in the bans in the society, breast cancer has become the most common type of cancer proportionally higher than lung cancer."

Drawing attention to the reasons for the increase in breast cancer, Anadolu Health Center General Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Metin Çakmakçı continued his words as follows: “It is thought that the increasingly used hormones for both menopause symptoms and for birth control, births at older ages and shortening breastfeeding periods may also play a role in the increase of breast cancer. In addition, post-menopausal obesity (obesity), inactivity and unhealthy diet are among the risk factors we know that increase the risk of breast cancer. Women who work at night such as stewardesses, nurses and security personnel also have breast cancer slightly above the society average ”.

Noting that since breast cancer is an aging disease in general, the prolongation of the life span also increases the incidence. Dr. Metin Çakmakçı said, “One of the most important factors is the fact that more cancer is diagnosed thanks to successful screening programs besides the real numerical increase. Obesity, unhealthy diet (low consumption of vegetables and fruits), inactivity and not exercising regularly are among the most important risk factors for other cancers besides breast cancer, ”he said.

According to the 2020 data recently announced by the World Health Organization, breast cancer with 11,7 percent, lung cancer with 11,4 percent and colorectal cancers with 10 percent are the most common in the world. Stating that the most common cancers in women are breast cancer, colorectal cancers and lung cancer, respectively, lung cancer is the first, prostate cancer is the second and colorectal cancers are the third in men, Anadolu Medical Center General Surgery Specialist and Breast Health Center Director Prof. Dr. Metin Çakmakçı said “Every year, 19.292.800 new cancer diagnoses are made in the world, and 9.958.000 people die of cancer”.

The most common cancer that causes death in women is still breast cancer

Stating that lung cancer is the leading cause of death, lung cancer is followed by colorectal cancers, liver cancer and stomach cancer. Dr. Metin Çakmakçı, “The most common cancer causing death in men is lung cancer. Lung cancer is followed by liver cancer and colorectal cancer. In women, the most common cancer that causes death is breast cancer. Lung cancer and colorectal cancer follow breast cancer, ”he said.

Pandemic reduced early diagnosis, advanced cancer cases increased

Emphasizing that people's disrupting their regular health checks due to the pandemic, not having their examinations done and not going to the doctor or health institutions for fear of COVID-19, it also reduces early diagnosis and leads to an increase in especially advanced stage cancer cases. Dr. Metin Çakmakçı said, “Early diagnosis of cancer greatly increases the chance of success in treatment. Patients with complaints should not run away from health institutions, especially if these complaints are progressing, in order to carry out the necessary research on what the underlying cause is ”.

Reminding that patients who are being followed up for chronic diseases such as lung, heart, blood pressure, diabetes, should not disrupt their control due to the concern of COVID-19. Dr. Metin Çakmakçı, “If we do not protect our health even under pandemic conditions, we will do the necessary examinations and treatments. zam"If we do not do it immediately, the damage and losses caused by these negligence may compete with the damage caused by COVID-19," he warned.