Frequently Asked Questions

No. Most palpable lumps are benign — fibroadenomas and cysts are the most common. But benign and malignant cannot be told apart by touch alone; imaging and, if needed, a biopsy are always required.

Yes. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history. A family history raises the risk, but the absence of one does not remove it, which is why screening recommendations apply to all women.

The national screening programme in Türkiye recommends a mammogram every two years for women aged 40 to 69. Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer may need to start earlier and with different methods — decide this with your doctor.

No. In early-stage hormone receptor positive disease in particular, gene expression tests help identify who will actually benefit from chemotherapy. For some patients endocrine therapy alone is enough.

Many patients do. It depends on the type of treatment, the severity of side effects and the nature of your work. It is worth raising with your doctor while the plan is being made.

Yes, although it is rare. A lump in the breast or a change in the nipple in a man should always be assessed; because it is rare, diagnosis is often delayed.

There is no screening programme with proven benefit for the general population. For women carrying a BRCA mutation or with a strong family history, regular follow-up and risk-reducing options are discussed. Genetic counselling is essential for this group.

The HPV vaccine protects against the high-risk HPV types that cause cervical cancer and is the most effective means of prevention. It does not remove the need for regular screening — the two are recommended together.

No. Any bleeding after the menopause, however light, should be assessed. The cause is often benign, but this is the earliest and most important sign of uterine cancer, so it should not be delayed.

It depends on the type and stage of the disease and on the treatment planned. Fertility-preserving approaches are possible for some early-stage patients. This must be discussed before treatment starts, as some options cannot be applied afterwards.

Uterine and bowel cancer occurring together in a family, especially at a young age, raises the possibility of Lynch syndrome. Genetic counselling in that situation can change the follow-up plan for you and for your relatives.

No. It depends on the drug; some chemotherapy agents do not cause hair loss. It is also not expected with endocrine therapy or with many targeted drugs. Ask your doctor which drug you will receive and what side effects to expect.

Neither is better than the other; they work in different patients. Immunotherapy is only effective in tumours carrying certain markers. Using it in an unsuitable patient means giving up a chemotherapy that would have worked.

No. These drugs only work in tumours that carry the change they target, so the relevant molecular tests must be done before treatment starts. Using them without testing brings no benefit.

Always ask your doctor first. Many herbal products affect how the liver processes drugs and can change the blood level of your cancer medication — reducing its effect or increasing side effects.

Short breaks because of falling blood counts or side effects are common and usually do not affect the outcome. What matters is that your doctor makes that decision; stopping medication on your own can be risky.

Clinical trials can give access to options that have not yet become standard treatment. Eligibility is assessed against the protocol. Participation is entirely voluntary and you may withdraw at any stage.

No. The test shows whether your risk is above average, not whether you will develop cancer. A positive result is not a diagnosis, and a negative result does not mean your risk is zero.

It means a change has been found in a gene whose effect is not yet known. This result is not used on its own to decide on treatment or surgery. As scientific knowledge grows, the classification of such variants can change over time.

Not entirely, at least not yet. Tissue biopsy remains the gold standard. Liquid biopsy is a valuable complement where a biopsy cannot be taken, or for tracking changes during treatment.

That depends on the law where you live and on the terms of your policy. Raising it during the pre-test counselling session helps you make an informed decision.

For genes that predispose to adult-onset cancer, testing is generally deferred until adulthood, so that the person can decide for themselves whether to be tested.

Yes. Screening is designed for people without symptoms. By the time symptoms appear the disease is usually more advanced; the whole point is to catch it before that.

The dose used in mammography is very low, and the benefit of early detection far outweighs that risk. That calculation is precisely what the screening recommendations rest on.

Yes. The vaccine protects against the most common high-risk HPV types but not all of them. Vaccination and screening are recommended together.

No. An abnormal result means further investigation is needed. Most of those investigations end with a non-cancerous explanation. What matters is not delaying the follow-up test.

Screening usually starts earlier for people with a family history, and additional methods may be added. The plan depends on the detail of that history and should be set with a doctor.

This is a common misunderstanding. All cells use glucose, and cutting sugar out of the diet does not starve a tumour. The harm of excess sugar comes through weight gain and the risks that follow — so limiting it is still sensible.

No. Trying to lose weight during treatment is generally not advised; the priority is protecting muscle mass and strength. Weight management should be planned with your doctor after treatment is complete.

There is evidence that high-dose antioxidant supplements may reduce the effect of some treatments. Do not take supplements without asking your doctor; antioxidants obtained from food carry no such concern.

For most patients yes, though the intensity must be set individually. Even short walks reduce fatigue. You should avoid crowded places when your blood counts are low — discuss the programme with your doctor.

Many herbal products affect how the liver processes drugs and can change the blood level of your cancer medication. That can reduce its effect or increase side effects. Always ask your doctor before using them.

Most of the time the most valuable support is listening rather than advising. Going to appointments, sharing daily tasks and respecting the patient's own decisions are concrete help. Do not neglect your own mental health either.