Minister Koca’s Message on International Childhood Cancer Day
Minister of Health Emphasizes the Importance of Early Diagnosis in Childhood Cancer
On International Childhood Cancer Day, Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca highlighted the prevalence of cancer in children, with approximately 400 thousand cases diagnosed worldwide each year and an estimated 5 thousand cases in Turkey. The majority of these cases are leukemia.
In a social media post, Minister Koca emphasized that childhood cancer treatment in Turkey is carried out at world standards and is covered by General Health Insurance. He stressed the importance of early diagnosis in the successful treatment of childhood cancers.
Children’s Hospital Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Namık Yaşar Özbek also shared insights on childhood cancer, noting that it is often more challenging to diagnose than adult cancers and that their symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases. Common symptoms include abdominal swelling, bone pain, visual impairment, nausea, and vomiting.
The main treatments for childhood cancer include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical procedures, with bone marrow transplantation as a potential end treatment. Dr. Özbek highlighted that these treatments are carried out using the latest systems in Turkey. He also emphasized the importance of early diagnosis in improving treatment success, stating that taking precautions before the cancer progresses can make treatment easier and more effective.
As we mark International Childhood Cancer Day, it is important to raise awareness about the prevalence of childhood cancer and the significance of early diagnosis in ensuring successful treatment outcomes.
