A Healthy Living Message from Antalya on 4 February, World Cancer Day

Around 14 million people worldwide and 200 thousand in our country receive a new cancer diagnosis annually. Advances over the past 10 years have substantially improved survival and quality of life. Cancer cases can be reduced through avoiding smoking, healthy eating, physical activity, regular checkups and vaccination by almost 50%.

Public Awareness Instead of Fear of Cancer

Led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), events on 4 February, World Cancer Day, emphasize prevention and early diagnosis. They aim to replace society’s distressing fear of cancer with awareness that it is preventable and treatable at an early stage.

The Mediterranean Diet with Antalya Flavors

For 04 February World Cancer Day, Antalya Promotion Foundation (ATAV), Memorial Antalya Hospital and the Turkish Association for Cancer Research and Control jointly drew attention, for the first time, to the Mediterranean diet through Antalya flavors, highlighting a golden rule of cancer prevention. On 3 February, with support from Antalya’s renowned 7 Mehmet Restaurant, guests tasted three local recipes selected from ATAV’s cookbook From the Taurus Mountains to the Mediterranean: Antalya Flavors through practical demonstrations. The event emphasized the health richness of local gastronomy and its place in the Mediterranean diet.

The Mediterranean Diet, the Secret to a Healthy, Long Life…

When thinking of long, healthy life, many imagine distant Okinawa in Japan, believing its residents hold the secret. Yet healthy longevity is closer than we think. Among the populations with many people over 100, 5 communities stand out, and two are Mediterranean: Ikaria in Greece and Barbagia in Sardinia, Italy. Turkey’s Mediterranean coast and culture are fortunate advantages. Nazilli in Aydın is nearly 10 years ahead of the national age average. Long-lived populations share two main features: The Mediterranean diet and strong social integration. Numerous studies already show that this is the world’s healthiest diet and significantly reduces serious conditions common in older age, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and dementia.

• 8 shared characteristics of the world’s longest-lived Blue Zone residents

News Photograph: This year, thanks to major efforts by Dr. Kadri Yakut, president of the Antalya branch of the Turkish Association for Cancer Research and Control, city parks and buildings were specially illuminated in predetermined World Cancer Day colors.