A seminar titled “Conscious Steps in Coping with Cancer” organized by Near East University in collaboration with Dikmen Municipality garnered significant participation from the local community. The event, attended by Dikmen Mayor Yüksel Çelebi, aimed to address cancer prevention and public health issues while promoting a healthy lifestyle and providing insights into coping with cancer. Important topics such as “Self-Examination in 7 Steps for Oral Cancers,” “Awareness of Breast Cancer,” “Friend and Foe Foods in Cancer,” and “Is Cancer Our Destiny?” were presented to enhance participants’ awareness.The seminar served as a platform for spreading awareness and empowering individuals in the fight against cancer, underscoring the importance of preventive measures and healthy lifestyle choices.

Moderated by Prof. Dr. Murat Özgören from the Near East University Faculty of Medicine, the seminar featured presentations by Prof. Dr. Seçil Aksoy, Head of the Department of Oral, Dental, and Jaw Radiology at the Near East University Faculty of Dentistry, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Filiz Yarıcı, Head of the Midwifery Department at the Near East University Faculty of Health Sciences, Assist. Prof. Dr. Taygun Dayı from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Faculty of Health Sciences, and Prof. Dr. Adile Öniz Özgören, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Following the presentations, Mayor Yüksel Çelebi presented certificates of appreciation to the speakers.

Prof. Dr. Murat Özgören emphasized the importance of awareness in the fight against cancer, highlighting the vulnerability of DNA over time and its potential to lead to cancer. Stressing the internal nature of cancer, he underscored the significance of early detection and individual awareness in combating the disease.

In the first presentation, Prof. Dr. Seçil Aksoy shared essential information on oral cancer prevention, emphasizing the vital importance of self-examination and the need to consult a doctor if symptoms such as persistent mouth ulcers, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or neck lumps arise.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Filiz Yarıcı addressed breast cancer, urging participation in free cancer screening tests offered by the Ministry of Health and emphasizing the importance of regular self-examination, especially considering factors such as family history, genetic makeup, breastfeeding, and menstruation.

In the third presentation, Assist. Prof. Dr. Taygun Dayı discussed the relationship between cancer and nutrition, advocating for the limitation of consumption of fatty, salty, and sugary foods and emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and legumes while limiting red meat intake to one or two portions per week.