The Turkish Breast Cancer Foundation emphasizes quality assurance
in all services. The foundation is approved for a project “The
European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Mammography Screening in Turkey”
by The European Commission, which is conducted by Leuvens University Belgium
that started at the end of 2002. The screening standards have reached up to
match EU criteria, which is a pioneering sample, and the one and only center
that is certified in Turkey.
AWARENESS ACTIVITIES
Awareness education is the main target
of the organization. Seminars and conferences are held in offices and factories
where female employment is the majority, Mainly visual aids and leaflets about
breast cancer are distributed during these activities.
A signature campaign was organized for
the declaration of “Every Woman Has The
Right To Pursue Better Breast Health Care” in the major malls of Istanbul.
This led to considerable media coverage, both on TV and newspapers.
A panel on “Women’s Health Care” was held on March 8th 2000, “International Women’s Day” in
coordination with Istanbul Yeditepe
University. A professor of
this university, a very well known woman journalist and also the President of
BCF were the lecturers. The main aim was to reach young university students
whose mothers were the target group. The event stirred a lot of interest and
questions among young students.
SUPPORT FOR CA PATIENTS AND SURVIVORS
Every two months get-togethers were held
at the organization’s office for breast survivors. During these free meetings
each time a different professional was invited to discuss different subjects
like “What is breast cancer, Personal hygiene after mastectomy, Physical
exercises and breast cancer, Prophylaxis of lymphedema, Nutritional principles
for breast health, Psychological problems in breast cancer, Relaxation
training, etc”.
In November 2000 Prof Dr Zelikowsky from Tel Aviv, Israel (who is one of the most
distinguished academicians working on lymphedema management) was invited for a
conference in Istanbul. This attracted a vast audience of over 250 women, and
the conference was followed by free examination by Prof Zelikowsky to patients
in need until evening. Thus, initiated a lymphedema unit in BCF`s Health Unit ,
using the equipment designed by Prof Zelikowsky and known worldwide.
In 2002, a large private company became
a sponsor to print information pamphlets to be distributed freely to create
awareness about breast cancer.
These information brochures contributed to raise the level of
understanding as well as providing useful information to the general public.
In November 2004, ”Surviving Breast Cancer” Symposium was organized for
survivors and professionals. It was free and open to public. 3 specialists were
invited from Israel and discussed all aspects of life following breast cancer
diagnosis, which was met with astonishing interaction and enthusiasm by the
over 300 attendants. The second day of the symposium was allocated to a
Lymphedema Workshop, the first ever of its kind in Turkey, where 26 therapists
received an elementary, basic training on the correct approach to managing
lymphedema. Since this event, an increasing number of lymphedema patients have
been applying to the center, searching for treatment in this irritating
condition which they were told to be beyond help.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS AND ACTIVITIES
Turkish Breast Cancer Foundation was
invited to participate in the “European
Union Platform” together with 200 other non-governmental organizations
coordinated by the Turkish Economic
Development Foundation and represented Turkey in issues regarding breast
cancer at the joint meeting of Turkish non-governmental organizations and their
European Union counterparts on 24th of March 2002.
A boat-cruise on the Bosphorus, was
organized as a special event. Here the aim was to present Europe Donna in Turkey, which is a very eminent NGO, formed by the
women in
the EU working on breast cancer
advocacy. BCF was attending Europa Donna Pan-European Meetings in
observer status for 3 years and as soon as The Turkish Ministry of Internal
Affairs authorized the Breast Disease
Coalition Society, which is affiliated to the foundation, became an
official voting member.
The project “Fashion Targets Breast Cancer” developed by the American Fashion Designers Association
had been in operation in Argentina, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and
Greece. This project was launched in Turkey in collaboration with BCF on 17th
of December 2002. Clothing which
has a common logo representing the project targets have been designed by the
leading fashion designers and are promoted to raise awareness by
non-governmental organizations working on Breast Cancer in these countries.
FTBC project was re launched in Turkey in 2007.
Since the year 2000 the Breast Cancer
Foundation of Turkey, has been collaborating with the Monastery Center for Disease Prevention, Panagia Philanthropini,
Ormylia, in the field of Breast Cancer Screening. United by the
common concern for the underprivileged women in both respective societies, BCF
has benefited from the exchange of experiences especially in the framework of
the “Hellenic Aid Program” of the
Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Of special importance is the high
quality of educational faculty that the Center has recruited for the continuing
education of our Foundation’s technical staff, which gives BCF the opportunity
to develop consultations and further technical assistance from premier
scientists in the field such as Professor Philip Kivitz who is the Senior
Inspector for Mammography Units in the USA.
Beyond the technical training offered by
the Hellenic Aid Project for Turkey, the support of free mammography for
economically disadvantaged women from Istanbul and the surrounding areas is a
tangible projection of Goodwill from the Foreign Ministry of Greece toward the
people of Turkey. This is especially true given that at last years
inauguration event, a “Greek Night”, members of the upper strata of Turkish
society attended, together with His All
Holiness Patriarch Bartholomeos
and His Excellencie the Greek Ambassador
and the venerable General Consulate in
Istanbul.
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES
The campaign “For Our Mothers” which was initiated in 2001, in coordination with
Mr. Bony Salis in memory of his
mother, resulted in an accumulation of $45.000. This and the valuable supports
of Siemens enabled the organization to set up the mammography unit, named “Victorya Salis Diagnostic Center”.
On May 2003, a breast ultrasound
diagnosis machine was bought with 40.000 Euros donated by Mr. Mehmet Baldudak, in memory of his mother. With this donation
the “Meliha Baldudak Ultrasound
Diagnosis Center” was established to provide services.
On December 2003, a bone density measurement device was bought with the
donations of Mr. Mehmet Baldudak in memory of his mother. “Meliha Baldudak Ultrasound Bone Density Measurement Center” was
established and started providing services besides keeping the cost of
mammography screening as low as possible for women. And with the help of the
income generated from this Center, the organization started providing free
mammography screening for underprivileged women.
To help meet the needs of people affected by cancer, Turkish film
actress Filiz Akın patronized the Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG Campaign
in Turkey to support The Breast Cancer Foundation . She received incredible
support from the Turkish society and as a result nearly 1 million yellow bracelets were sold at Migros markets. With the funds raised from this campaign BCF was
able to provide a high tech ultrasound machine for the center and also over
3000 women was reached trough free screening.
In September 2007, Mr Boni Salis attended the Berlin
Marathon in order to raise funds for foundations in Turkey. Thanks to Mr
Salis’s and his Marathon Project, 10,035 YTL is donated to BCF. Through this
contribution free mammography will be carried out for disadvantaged women with
no income and social security. In addition, surgical treatment will be provided
for the ones diagnosed with cancer. Since the beginning of the project, 2
patients had breast surgery. The operation was carried out by a voluntary
surgeon and all hospital and pathology expenses were covered by the project.
FREE SCREENING ACTIVITIES
Low-cost screening program has being
carried out since 2002. However free screening started during the week of 8
March 2003 on World Women’s Day. 2000 women were screened for breast cancer
free of charge with the collaboration and support of Avon, Fuji, and Siemens in
Turkey.
BCF initiated a project in collaboration
with the Municipality of Metropolitan
Istanbul to screen 1500 women
free of charge during the months of September and December 2004. Since then
nearly 5000 underprivileged women
have been screened in collaboration with local municipalities of Istanbul and
NGOs dealing with women. This activity is still in progress and supported by
individual and cooperate donors.
PUBLICATIONS
The sources of valid information about
breast health are scarce in Turkey. BCF with the intention of providing good
quality, comprehensive information prepared a detailed book in layman’s
language on Frequently Asked Questions on Breast Cancer.
The Breast Cancer Foundation of
Turkey started a nation wide awareness campaign in Turkey called
“Farkındayım-Korkmuyorum” (I’m aware – Not afraid) in May 2006. Since then the
foundation is initiating effective activities to take place within the campaign
to promote breast cancer awareness in Turkey, with the following objectives:
· Reaching all women with the key message
“mammography saves lives”
· Raising awareness in young people that
can make a difference in the fight for the cause.
· Raising awareness in target group women
who are the best guardians of their own health,
· Raising funds to carry out free
mammography for disadvantaged women,
· Raising funds to build a mobile mammography unit to carry out
screening in disadvantaged regions of Turkey
About the campaign
Public awareness campaigns and their activities have an important role
within health promotion as they can be a source of education and information,
an opportunity to engage with the public, provide a call to action and be a
catalyst for changes in attitudes and behaviour.
The campaign is designed to start off with no budget or funding.
Voluntary approach is considered as the main support which is believed to
generate public contribution by all means. For this reason corporate and
individual donors are being encouraged to support and work in partnership with
the Foundation for the campaign besides special fundraising activities
It is certain that in creating the highest impact, exciting activities
can achieve the best results. Media plays an important role. Throughout the
campaign the Foundation will perform creative communication and fundraising
activities and make use of every tool in order to maximize the attention to the
key message, such as ;
TV / Press / Radio
· Collaborating with media groups,
· Support of TV Channels is an asset for
the campaign,
· Participating in women/health programs
will have a great impact on general public,
· Integrating key messages into TV serial
texts,
· TV Advertisements,
· A fund raising event to be broadcasted
live on television
· Publishing advertisements and
advertorials in popular Newspapers/Magazines
· Collaborating with prominent women
writers,
· Collaborating with women magazines to
raise awareness,
· Radio Spots containing the main massage of the campaign,
The key message
Breast cancer is not a fearful illness if it is early diagnosed through
mammography.
Other support messages
·
Mammography is the most important early detection method
·
Mammography saves lives
·
Early detection saves lives
·
Be aware and do not be afraid.
·
If you are over 20;
o
Carry out self examination every month
o
Visit a specialist every 3 years
·
If you are over 35;
o
Carry out self examination every month
o
Have your first mammography taken at the age of 35
o
Visit a specialist every year
·
If you are over 40;
o
Carry out self examination every month
o
Have your mammography taken every year
o
Visit a specialist every year
Well known singer and musician Levent Yuksel’s concert was held in Istanbul on 21st March. He appeared voluntarily and 2000 people attended the awareness night. The amount raised from the concert provided free mammography for 1000 underprivileged women.
Besides the main sponsor SIEMENS , Istanbul Municipality Anadolu Sigorta, Kanal D, Anadolu Sağlık Merkezi, Argos İletişim ve Radyo Pink’in İD İletişim, ABS Alçı Sanayi, Mudo, Radyo D ve Es Voleybol gave support.
The second concert was held in Ankara on 9th September with the Rotary Club. 5000 people were at the open air theater at Hacettepe University. The amount raised from the concert provided free mammography for another 1000 underprivileged women.
