At the 2nd National Congress of Current Approaches in Nutrition and Dietetics organized by Üsküdar University, "The Power of Nutrition in a Holistic Approach to Cancer" is discussed.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: "Lifestyle plays a decisive role in 60-70 percent of diseases. Not being able to eat healthy and develop healthy behavior is the root cause of many diseases."
Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin: "As the life span increases, the genetic structures in the cells deteriorate, mutate and carcinogenic factors emerge."
Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan: "Cancer is a multi-based problem that affects not only the person who is diagnosed, but also their immediate environment and family, both psychologically and in terms of quality of life."
Organized by Üsküdar University, "2nd National Congress of Current Approaches in Nutrition and Dietetics" started at Üsküdar University NP Health Campus Ibni Sina Auditorium. At this year's congress, the theme of which is "The Power of Nutrition in a Holistic Approach to Cancer", expert academics share their preventive nutrition approaches against cancer and the latest scientific findings in this field.
The opening speeches of the congress were made by the President of the Congress and the Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Üsküdar University Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan, the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin and President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: "The things we eat also affect our personality and behavior"
Referring to the efficiency of last year's congress, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that this year's congress will also address current approaches and especially the importance of the theme of "holistic approach to cancer".
Stating that cancer is statistically increasing and one of the reasons for this is eating habits, Tarhan touched on the brain-body axis and the effects of nutrition on the immune system from the perspective of psychiatry, which is his field. Giving an example of an experiment using the smell of cherry blossom and electroshock in mice, Prof. Tarhan said that learned behaviors and environmental effects can lead to changes in the genetic structure, and this situation is called "epigenetics". He noted that such changes could be passed on to new generations through micro-DNAs, and that these effects could persist if learning continues. Referring to a similar experiment conducted on worms, Prof. Tarhan said, "The things we eat do not only affect our stomach. It also affects our personality and behavior."
Issues such as whether foods can cause DNA damage should be discussed
Emphasizing that this issue should be taken seriously in a world where processed foods are widespread and what we eat is not known exactly, Prof. Tarhan stated that issues such as whether foods will cause DNA damage should be discussed. Stating that people also have a relationship with food, Prof. Tarhan reminded the words of a patient from Gaziantep, "If I am not going to eat, why should I live?" and drew attention to the importance of the meaning attributed to food. He mentioned that in such cases, food awareness and conscious eating disappear, which invites many diseases, and in this context, the importance of "mindful eating" programs is emphasized.
What can be done to keep people from getting sick?
Stating that the primary duty of healthcare professionals is primary protection, that is, to determine what can be done to prevent people from getting sick, Prof. Tarhan said, "What can be done to prevent people from getting sick? At the beginning of this is proper and balanced nutrition. Prebiotics, probiotics and all similar elements are directly related to the prevention of diseases. The issue of how we should protect the microbiota has an important place in this context. All these are the main topics that need to be addressed in terms of preventive medicine."
Noting that more research should be done on the relationship between food and chemistry and the effects of food on human mental health and brain health, Prof. Tarhan said, "At this point, I am happy to see the interest of young participants. It is of great value that they are interested in and attach importance to these issues."
Lifestyle plays a decisive role in 60-70 percent of diseases
Stating that colon cancer is quite common today, Prof. Tarhan continued as follows: "There is a very close relationship between this disease and nutrition. The relationship between diet and gut microbiota is just as strong. If a person has a family history of colon cancer, that is, if there is a genetic predisposition, this person's risk of developing colon cancer increases. However, the rate of genetic predisposition is much lower than it is thought; It's only about 5 percent. There is an important detail at this point. If the individual has a colon cancer susceptibility gene, but the person eats a healthy diet, this gene may not be activated; that is, it remains 'silent'. However, when a person has an unhealthy diet, this gene can be activated and the formation process of cancerous cells can begin. Therefore, lifestyle plays a decisive role in 60-70 percent of diseases. Not being able to eat healthy and develop healthy behavior is the root cause of many diseases."
Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin: "Today, there are elderly people in their 70s, 80s, 90s and 100s in many countries"
Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin emphasized the importance of the theme of the congress. Stating that when we look at the factors in cancer development, not much change can be made on genetic characteristics with today's information, but studies in this field continue rapidly, Prof. Ertekin emphasized that some of the environmental factors can be intervened, and although factors such as climate change and air pollution cannot be directly affected, nutrition is one of the things that can be done individually.
Cancers are the leading causes of death in the world
Stating that cancers, which are among the leading causes of death in the world, will become a bigger social problem both in Turkey and in the world with the prolongation of human life, Prof. Ertekin said, "Today, there are elderly people in their 70s, 80s, 90s and 100s in many countries. One of the most important risks in the development of cancer is the prolongation of life expectancy. As it grows, the genetic structures in the cells deteriorate, mutate and carcinogenic factors emerge."
Stating that states and countries should take precautions at this point, Prof. Ertekin pointed out the importance of informing, raising awareness and developing screening programs.
Stating that what can be done individually is to protect the body from excess weight and to lead an active and active life, Prof. Ertekin emphasized that these two factors are among the most important risk factors for all types of cancer.
Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan: "Cancer is a significant health burden not only in Turkey but also on a global scale"
Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Faculty of Health Sciences, President of the Congress Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan drew attention to the critical role of nutrition in the fight against cancer.
Stating that the main theme of this year's congress was determined as 'The Role of Nutrition in a Holistic Approach to Cancer', Assoc. Prof. Arslan said, "Cancer constitutes a significant health burden not only in Turkey but also on a global scale. In parallel with the increase in frequency and prevalence, mortality rates are also increasing. Cancer is a multi-based problem that affects not only the diagnosed person, but also his immediate environment and family, both psychologically and in terms of quality of life. For this reason, we wanted to talk about the power of nutrition and nutritional practices by considering it with a multidisciplinary approach in this context."
Expressing his satisfaction with the intense interest in the congress, Assoc. Prof. Arslan said, "The crowd here really gives me hope."
After the speeches, the speakers and participants took a group photo.
"Nutritional Approaches to Cancer Prevention" session
After the opening speeches, the first session of the congress started. In the session titled "Nutrition Approaches in Cancer Prevention", chaired by Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan and Prof. Yasemin Akdevelioğlu, experts in their fields shared important information.
In the session, first of all, Asst. Prof. Begüm Kalyoncu, "Genetic Codes of Nutrition in the Prevention of Cancer: Epigenetics and Nutrigenetics", Asst. Prof. Sevan Çetin Özbek made a presentation on "Antioxidants and Phytochemicals: The Role of Natural Preservatives", Prof. Yasemin Akdevelioğlu from Gazi University made a presentation on "New Approaches in Cancer Prevention: Vitamin D and Omega-3", and Prof. Tarkan Karakan from a private clinic made a presentation on "Intestinal Microbiome and Cancer: Fermented Foods".
Nutritional strategies in the fight against cancer
In the afternoon sessions of the congress, the role of nutrition in the fight against cancer will continue to be evaluated in a multifaceted way. In the second session, which will be held under the chairmanship of Prof. Çetin Kaymak and Prof. Bülent Saka, the topic of "Targeted Treatment Methods in Cancer" will be discussed. Prof. Perran Fulden Yumuk from the American Hospital, "Malnutrition, Sarcopenia, Cachexia: Clinical Applications", Dietitian Tuğçe Aytulu will make a presentation titled "Personalized Nutrition Therapy in Cancer Patients".
Targeted treatment methods in cancer will be discussed
The third session of the congress will be held under the chairmanship of Prof. Perran Fulden Yumuk and Prof. Yasemin Akdevelioğlu. In this session, within the scope of the theme of "Targeted Treatment Methods in Cancer", Prof. Bülent Saka from Istanbul University gave a presentation on "Nutrition and Drug Interactions in Cancer Treatment", Prof. Gamze Akbulut from Istanbul Kent University gave a presentation on "Starving Cancer Cells: Metabolic Strategies and Treatment Potential", and Lokman Hekim University Specialist Dietitian Birgül Dağ will discuss "The Role of the Dietitian in the Nutrition Protocols of Cancer Patients" and Assoc. Prof. Nihal Zekiye Erdem from Istanbul Medipol University will discuss "Ketogenic Diets: An Effective Strategy in the Fight Against Cancer?".
Post-cancer recovery process and palliative care issues will be discussed
On the second day of the congress, the first session was held by Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan. It will start under the chairmanship of Dietitian Tuğçe Aytulu. Çisem Uzun from Üsküdar University, "Readaptation to Social Life in the Remission Period: Psycho-Social Support and Recovery Process", Specialist Dietitian Dilek Doğan from Adana City Hospital will make a presentation titled "Nutritional Intervention in the Remission Period: Safe and Effective Approaches", and Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Walker from Bakırköy Sadri Konuk Training and Research Hospital will make a presentation titled "Improving the Quality of Life and Symptom Management in Palliative Care".
In the special section titled "Case Report in Cancer Patients", Specialist Dietitian Handan Doğan Ulaştu from Koç University Hospital. Specialist Dietitian Ceren Ergüden Soytürk from the Cancer Society. Specialist Dietitian Selin Zingil Türk will share the nutritional processes of cancer patients and the situations encountered with the participants with practical examples. The congress was attended by Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan It will end with oral presentations and poster presentations by Asst. Prof. Sevan Çetin Özbek.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)