What is Cancer Screening?
Performing examinations with Medical Imaging methods for the early diagnosis of cancer is called cancer screening. If cancer is diagnosed early, its treatment is successful and easy. Although treatment is performed in advanced stages, success rates decrease, and stronger treatments are required. It is very important for women to examine themselves for breast cancer. It is recommended that menstruating women examine themselves every month after menstruation in the bath with soap to make the skin slippery, and also examine themselves while lying down. Women who do not menstruate should also choose the first day of every month as a self-examination day and perform the examination every month. In self-examination, examine by pressing moderately on the breast with the tips of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th fingers of your hand. Perform the examination starting from the outer edge of the breast under the armpit, from top to bottom and bottom to top. Additionally, do it in circles starting from the nipple towards the outside. If you feel or detect hardness, swelling, or a mass in your hand, definitely come to TOMOKAY to have an Ultrasound and Mammography.
SUCH SITUATIONS DETECTED IN THE BREAST DEFINITELY SHOULD NOT BE NEGLECTED!!!
Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer facts & Importance of early diagnosis One in every three deaths caused by cancer is lung cancer. In all ethnic groups, the death rate of lung cancer is above other cancers. It is the number two cancer type most diagnosed in men and women. Almost 87 percent of lung cancer is caused by smoking and using tobacco products. Although there are many environmental factors that increase the risk of lung cancer, exposure to radon gas and asbestos, smoking, and passive exposure to cigarette smoke are the most important factors causing lung cancer. It has even been calculated that passive smokers increase their risk of getting lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent. This information is taken from the Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA). As frightening as these facts may seem, diagnosing lung cancer in its early stages can save patients from death. However, only 16 percent of lung cancers can be diagnosed early. According to research conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on 53,000 people who smoke or have smoked before, it was found that the death rate from lung cancer decreased by 20 percent with Lung Cancer screening using Computed Tomography (CT) instead of simple chest X-rays. Therefore, we also recommend our patients to have Lung Cancer screening with CT.
What is Lung cancer screening with Computed Tomography (CT)?
Lung cancer screening with CT is a screening test performed for control purposes to see if there is cancerous tissue formation in your lungs. This test is designed for people with a high probability of getting lung cancer. This high-tech CT scan aims to find small nodules that may be in your lungs and examine them. With this screening, nodules too small to be seen on a lung X-ray are seen. Thus, an advantage is provided for the early diagnosis of lung cancer. New research shows that nodules noticed when they are very small significantly increase the patient’s likelihood of recovering from lung cancer.
What should I expect?
If your screening is normal, you can make an appointment for control purposes once a year and continue your life. If our Radiologist detects a suspicious lung nodule, you will be called again for a diagnostic CT scan. Generally, suspicious nodules detected belong to benign masses and sequelae of past diseases. Therefore, do not be afraid if you are called for a diagnostic CT after the screening test. In some cases, even if a small nodule is found, this nodule does not look suspicious. However, you may be asked to come to our center periodically to have that nodule checked. This is to ensure that the nodule continues in its benign state.
When will I receive the results? Information regarding when you will receive your results will be given to you at our center. Under normal conditions, you can receive your results within 1-2 hours.
Prostate Cancer Screening
What is prostate cancer screening? Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Approximately 80% of men aged 80 have prostate cancer. Early diagnosis is very important in prostate cancer. It can be treated with developing modern treatment methods. Cancer should be diagnosed at an early stage with screening methods without giving any symptoms. People carrying suspicion of cancer are detected with blood tests (total PSA, free PSA), Ultrasound, and MRI, and transrectal (via the anus) biopsy is performed under Ultrasound guidance. By applying regional anesthesia (local anesthesia), the person is prevented from feeling pain or suffering, and the biopsy is performed comfortably. We have been applying the biopsy procedure at TOMOKAY for years. A special Ultrasound device, biopsy gun, and needle are available for this procedure in our center. Specialist Doctor Ertan OKAY determined Transrectal Prostate Biopsy as his specialization thesis topic and started applying it since 1993. He is the first in Bursa and one of the firsts in Turkey and has a successful biopsy series consisting of thousands of cases. We take between 8 and 12 tissue samples from the prostate, or more if necessary. Your diagnosis is made definitively, and you are directed to treatment.
Breast Cancer Screening
What is breast cancer screening? Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer seen in women. Early diagnosis is very important in breast cancer. You can regain your health with new treatment methods. The earlier the diagnosis, the easier and more definitive the treatment. Therefore, cancer should be diagnosed with screening methods before symptoms appear. First of all, consult a Doctor when you have any suspicion by examining yourself manually. However, more importantly, have Ultrasound and Digital Mammography examinations done when you have no complaints. If a sign of disease (asymmetry between both breasts, mass, calcification foci, etc.) is detected in these shots, a biopsy is planned primarily for this, and treatment is planned according to the result. In Digital Mammography, images are obtained in a digital environment using the latest system. In this way, the received radiation dose is reduced, and images can be examined on a special high-resolution monitor. Mammography images examined by our Radiologist help to find a mass that may form in the breast before it reaches a noticeable size. Digital mammography holds a very important place in the diagnosis of breast cancer. TOMOKAY Medical Imaging attaches great importance to early diagnosis with Mammography. According to early cancer diagnosis programs in American and European countries and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey, it is considered appropriate for women to have a Mammography every year starting from the age of 40. Mammography is the only method that reduces deaths caused by breast cancer. As TOMOKAY Medical Imaging, we are working to minimize deaths caused by breast cancer in Turkey. Since breast cancer seen in women under 50 is more dangerous, having a mammography every year is very important for women.
Screening Mammography (Control Purposes) It is possible to diagnose breast cancer early and get treated if Mammography is performed every year as recommended. Women aged 40 and over do not necessarily need a referral from a doctor. You can make an appointment and have your Mammography done whenever you want. If you notice hardness, swelling in your breast, or color change in the breast skin, or if you have had breast cancer before, a Diagnostic Mammography is required for you.
How should I prepare?
Please bring your previous Mammography films or CDs.
Do not apply any talcum powder, deodorant, oil, or perfume to your underarm and breast on the day you will have the Mammography. These substances create small errors in the mammography film and make it difficult to examine the film.
Wear a two-piece outfit (top and bottom) so that you only remove your top and bra, and your pants or skirt remain on you.
We recommend that menstruating women have their Mammography done the week after their period ends.
Women who do not menstruate can come for Mammography at any time.
Do not forget to mention your entire health history, surgeries you have had, and breast diseases in your family and yourself.
What should I expect?
When you come for Mammography, carefully fill out the form provided by our medical secretary. If there are questions or topics you do not understand, ask our secretary. In our center, Mammography is performed by a female Technician. The answers you give to the Technician performing your scan will be used by our Specialist Doctor while evaluating the films. During the scan, the breast will be compressed and fixed between two plastic plates. The scan will take approximately 15 minutes. It is very important to bring previous Mammography films because your breast films need to be compared.
When will I receive the results? The Mammography film/CD and report are given within 1-2 hours.
What is breast cancer screening in young women? Breast Ultrasound is used for Breast Cancer Screening at early ages (in the 20s and 30s). Additionally, Breast Ultrasound is performed in addition to Mammography at older ages. At TOMOKAY, breast cancer screening is reliably performed by our Specialist Doctor using high-technology Color Doppler Ultrasound. The scan takes approximately 45 minutes. Preferably come to Ultrasound the week after your period. However, if you have any complaints, you can come to our Center immediately. You can come with a request document from your doctor, or you can come directly to TOMOKAY.