📰 Breast Cancer Awareness Event Held

📅 Tuesday, 14 October 2025 | 🕐 13:00–15:30
📍 Şehit Ömer HALİSDEMİR Conference Hall

Organized jointly by Giresun University’s Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO) and the Health and Culture Community, the “Breast Cancer Awareness Event” was held at the Şehit Ömer HALİSDEMİR Conference Hall on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, between 13:00 and 15:30.

The event aimed to raise awareness about early diagnosis, prevention strategies, treatment processes, and the psychosocial aspects of breast cancer; to help individuals access accurate information; to internalize the importance of early detection; and to promote healthy lifestyle habits.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Aytaç GÜDER, Director of SHMYO, welcomed participants and students, and expressed his gratitude to the Health and Culture Community and to the organizing committee members Assoc. Prof. Sevim Çiftçi Yegin, Lecturer Sibel Töre, and Asst. Prof. Enis Taşcı for their contributions. Prof. GÜDER also underlined the importance of early detection and awareness activities for public health.

The program continued with scientific presentations delivered by faculty members from different academic units of Giresun University.

In the first talk, Assoc. Prof. Çağla YİĞİTBAŞ from the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery presented global and national epidemiological data on breast cancer, discussing its prevalence and the impact of early detection on public health.

Next, Prof. Dr. Yeşim YAMAN AKTAŞ from the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Surgical Nursing addressed risk factors and prevention, emphasizing the role of lifestyle, obesity, and nutrition in disease development.

The third speaker, Assoc. Prof. İsmail AYDIN from the Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, provided information on national screening programs in Türkiye, as well as mammography, clinical breast examination (CBE), and breast self-examination (BSE) practices.

The program then continued with a presentation by Prof. Dr. Tümay BEKÇİ from the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, titled “Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Imaging Techniques in Breast Cancer.” Prof. Bekçi explained the roles of mammography, ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and biopsy in the diagnostic process with practical examples.

Subsequently, Assoc. Prof. Tuğrul KESİCİOĞLU from the Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery discussed breast examination methods and clinical practice, highlighting the importance of women recognizing their own breast structure for early detection.

Assoc. Prof. Selahattin VURAL from the Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery elaborated on surgical and systemic treatment approaches in breast cancer. The talk focused on mastectomy, breast-conserving surgery, and oncoplastic techniques and their impact on patients’ quality of life.

In the final part of the scientific sessions, Asst. Prof. Habibe DURDU from the Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO), Physiotherapy Program addressed post-surgical rehabilitation, emphasizing the critical role of physiotherapy in preventing complications such as lymphedema, pain, and range-of-motion limitations.

The last talk was delivered by Lecturer İrem YILMAZ from the Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO), Elderly Care Program, who discussed the psychological impacts of breast cancer, social support, and psychosocial intervention models, noting that the disease process is not only biological but also emotional and social.

At the end of the program, certificates of appreciation were presented to all speakers. The event concluded with a symbolic “pink balloon release” to highlight breast cancer awareness.

This meaningful organization, which attracted great interest from participants, served as an important example in strengthening scientific information-sharing and societal awareness.