Healthcare workers' persistence saves a life: Early-stage cancer diagnosis

Tijen Erkan, a resident of Bornova, İzmir, underwent a cervical cancer screening upon the insistence of medical personnel at a center where she was accompanying a friend. Following a positive test result and subsequent examinations, Erkan was diagnosed with stage one cancer, regaining her health through surgery thanks to early diagnosis.

She underwent screening while accompanying a friend

Tijen Erkan, a housewife and mother of one living in Bornova, accompanied a friend to the Bornova No. 1 Healthy Life Center on March 12.

While her friend was undergoing a screening test, she agreed to have a cervical cancer screening herself upon the persistence of the healthcare workers.

Diagnosed through advanced examinations

Following a positive result on her screening test, Tijen Erkan was referred to the gynecology outpatient clinic for advanced examinations.

After detailed investigations, Erkan was diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer.

Regained health through surgery

Undergoing a successful surgery in May, Tijen Erkan did not need chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments thanks to early diagnosis.

The importance of early diagnosis

Recounting her experience, Tijen Erkan stated that she had no complaints and emphasized that the disease was detected at an early stage thanks to the persistence of the healthcare workers.

Warnings from experts

KETEM Responsible Physician Dr. Nafiye Ebru Terzi stated that cervical cancer is a disease that can be largely prevented through screening and early diagnosis.

Dr. Nafiye Ebru Terzi expressed that the most common cause of this disease is high-risk HPV infections.

Free and reliable screenings

Healthy Life Center Nurse Yıldız Gökalp Argun emphasized that KETEM screenings are completely free, easy, reliable, and life-saving.