Breast Cancer Awareness Week: Conference and Awareness Activities Held at Our Faculty
As part of "Breast Cancer Awareness Week," a conference and an information booth were organized in collaboration with the Süleyman Demirel University Pharmacy Career and Project Society (SDÜ E-KAP) and the Turkish Pharmacists' Association Youth Commission (TEBGK) to highlight the importance of early detection of breast cancer and raise public awareness.
The activities began with a conference held at the Faculty of Pharmacy Conference Hall, featuring Prof. Dr. Recep Çetin, a faculty member of the Department of General Surgery at Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, as the guest speaker. The conference provided comprehensive information on the incidence, symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic procedures, and treatment methods of breast cancer.
Addressing the significance of family history and genetic predisposition in breast cancer, Prof. Dr. Recep Çetin emphasized the importance of regular health check-ups and individual awareness in detecting the disease at an early stage. Highlighting the role of changes in breast tissue and appearance in early diagnosis, Prof. Dr. Çetin informed participants about the symptoms that should be monitored and the circumstances in which medical attention should be sought.
During the question-and-answer session following the conference, Prof. Dr. Meltem Çetin from the Department of Radiology and Prof. Dr. Emine Elif Özkan from the Department of Radiation Oncology at Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine also joined the program and answered participants' questions. The session addressed various topics, including the role of pharmacists in raising breast cancer awareness, encouraging participation in screening programs, monitoring individuals with a family history of breast cancer, managing treatment-related adverse effects, and addressing the psychological support needs of patients.
At the conclusion of the program, Prof. Dr. Ebru Çubuk Demiralay, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, presented a certificate of appreciation to Prof. Dr. Recep Çetin in recognition of his contributions.
In addition to the conference, a breast cancer awareness booth was set up at the entrance of the Faculty of Pharmacy, providing information to students and visitors throughout the day. The booth featured educational materials covering breast cancer, its risk factors, the importance of early detection, and screening methods. To facilitate access to essential information about early breast cancer detection, visitors were provided with informative displays and a breast self-examination instructional video accessible via a QR code.
To extend the reach of the awareness campaign, various visual materials were prepared, and activities featuring pink balloons and pink ribbons, the international symbol of breast cancer awareness, were organized. Participants supported the campaign by placing their pink fingerprints inside a pink ribbon design. In this way, the event went beyond simply providing information and became an interactive awareness initiative that actively engaged participants.
Through the conference and awareness booth activities, the organizers sought to emphasize the vital importance of early breast cancer detection, promote the dissemination of accurate information, encourage regular health screenings, and increase public awareness. Particular emphasis was placed on the responsibilities that pharmacy students, as future healthcare professionals, can undertake in community health initiatives of this kind.
The activities organized through the collaboration of SDÜ E-KAP and TEBGK once again demonstrated the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and the contributions of healthcare students to public awareness initiatives.