Experts draw ‘cancer map’ of Turkey

Despite often being preventable, Turkish cancer experts are warning that cancer cases in the country are likely to triple in the next two decades.

Professor Murat Tuncer, head of the Health Ministry’s Anti-Cancer Department, released data from a recent study mapping cancer cases in Turkey between 2000 and 2006 to news site ntvmsnbc.com. According to Tuncer, there are 396,000 cancer cases in Turkey and an annual death toll of 140,000. The disease costs the Turkish economy approximately $2.5 billion in lost productivity every year.

Worryingly, however, Tuncer warns that the annual number of diagnoses could rise to 1.5 million in the next two decades, with the mortality rate also rising to 500,000 over the same period.

While breast cancer is most common in Turkish women, men are typically most affected by lung cancer.

Tuncer told ntvmsnbc.com that some cancer types localize in certain regions. “The [asbestos-related] mesothelioma problem of Central Anatolia is 1,000 times higher than the world average,” he said, adding that cancer types likely related to arsenic are significantly more common in the Aegean Region. Stomach cancer, meanwhile, is most prevalent in eastern Anatolia.

Scarce human resources

There are oncology divisions at 28 Turkish universities, with 113 professors treating the disease along with 78 associate professors.

New and improved cancer centers will be founded by 2015 to provide better service to patients, Tuncer said, adding that the biggest problem was human resources. The department, however, is collaborating with the Higher Board of Education, or YÖK, to solve the issue over the next decade. “All cancer drugs are being covered by the Social Security Institute. The problem is that the licensing procedure runs slowly. We are trying to speed up the bureaucracy. I think we will be able to advance faster in the years to come,” he said.

Professor Coşkun Tecimer, from Istanbul Bilim University’s oncology department, agreed with Tuncer on the problem of insufficient human resources. “The number of oncologists in Turkey is around 250. This is very low compared to developed countries,” he said, noting that cancer patients face serious financial difficulties and that every patient cannot access newer technology or drugs that increase the chances of survival.

Professor Tezer Kutluk, president of the Turkish Association for Cancer Research and Control, or TKASK, said cancer is preventable and treatable if diagnosed early. Also a member of the acting board of the International Union Against Cancer, or UICC, Kutluk said the union has over 300 foundations in more than 100 countries.

Every year, 12 million people throughout the world are diagnosed with cancer while 7.6 million die, he said. “If precautions are not taken, it is estimated that 26 million cancer cases and 17 million deaths will be seen [across the globe] by 2030,” said Kutluk.

Kutluk also said 40 percent of all cancer cases could potentially be prevented by paying attention to the factors that cause them. He said tobacco and alcohol consumption, unhealthy and unbalanced nutrition, overexposure to sunlight and a lack of exercise are crucial factors leading to cancer.