Health Tourism in Türkiye and Antalya's Role in Cancer Treatment

Medical Oncologist Prof. Dr. Mustafa Özdoğan, directing Memorial Health Group Antalya Medical Oncology clinics and chairing Medstar Cancer Center, assessed cancer and treatments worldwide and locally, described achievements and shared projects.

He emphasized Antalya's growing future role and a project allowing patients and relatives to experience treatment almost as a holiday. Working with institutions to create a cancer treatment city, his team wants to transform hospital care into a complete living environment.

“No healthcare group worldwide can surpass our country in valuing patients and families and offering compassion and affection, essential parts of cancer treatment.”

How Many Develop Cancer Annually Worldwide and Locally? Can It Be Prevented?

More than 10 million new patients arise annually worldwide. After the 2020s, this is predicted to reach 30 million yearly. Türkiye has approximately 200 thousand. Much cancer is preventable through public awareness and policy. Avoiding smoking and inactivity and eating healthily can eliminate half; another third can be detected by proper screening and overcome before threatening life.

How Is Cancer Care Organization Developing in Advanced Countries?

America has reached a certain saturation after major progress. High costs and insurance problems send even Americans abroad. Britain has a substantial service gap, delayed major operations and patients seeking solutions elsewhere.

What Is the Situation Elsewhere and Here?

Most countries, particularly Europe, lack oncology professionals. Russia, Ukraine, Turkic republics and neighbors have major organizational shortcomings. Germany and Israel have long served these and Arab countries but are saturated. High demand has increased prices, reduced quality and dissatisfied patients.

Türkiye has advanced substantially. Physicians assimilate new knowledge and provide current treatments promptly. Technology, multidisciplinary teamwork and comfortable facilities are rapidly changing. We are as good as the West, sometimes ahead, and unsurpassed in compassion. Our main shortcoming is internationally coordinated care resolving every quality-of-life detail for patients and families. Healthcare workers, government, universities and private health and tourism sectors can overcome it together.

"With nature, history and culture, Antalya is a global brand deserving to be Türkiye's preferred national and international health tourism destination."

Could You Briefly Describe Global Health Tourism?

Potential is approximately 500 billion dollars worldwide, predicted in 2023 to exceed 1 trillion. Türkiye receives only %0.5-1 of these revenues, while conventional tourism brings about 20 billion dollars. Redirecting some investment toward health could produce extraordinary income and international prestige.

How Does It Differ from Conventional Tourism?

Conventional tourism faces intense international competition, selling excellent quality too cheaply. Antalya's nature, history and culture make it a global brand deserving preferred health tourism status.

“We Need Awareness and Courage...”

What Is the Government's Approach?

The government makes substantial efforts to remove obstacles to health tourism, leading the field through numerous legal regulations. We all need greater awareness and courage in this area.

What Are You Doing?

First, we offer the best local service and train internationally capable support staff, improving qualifications. We want a complete living environment instead of a traditional hospital: low-rise forest buildings, SPA centers, rehabilitation, complementary and artistic therapies, yoga, choir, theater, cafes and a lakeside. Imagine walking through it: a patient painting a swan while receiving chemotherapy may hold onto life differently. Families also suffer and need support. Holiday-like treatment offers the highest comfort. Such spaces replace “cancer equals death” with “cancer is part of life and can be fought,” helping patients feel valued and secure.

“Let us make Antalya a Cancer Treatment City together...”

Our Efforts Alone Are Insufficient.

Transport is a major obstacle: international access must be as easy in winter as summer. When local authorities, agencies, hotels, investors and tourism actors change their perspective, accommodation at 20-50 dollars daily could become 500-dollar organizations offering health and happiness. I think our hotelier meeting illuminated perceptions. We work to realize a dream: Antalya as the Middle East's cancer treatment city in 10 years, which I believe achievable.

Your Final Words?

Years ago in America, I promised my dear friend, respected mentor and brother lost to cancer that we would build a center attracting patients worldwide. He asked, “Can we really do it?” My greatest wish is centers where patients and families feel secure, access every needed therapy and remain hopeful without withdrawing from life, particularly in Antalya. Such organizations bring local benefits, a different economy and prestige; positive competition improves all providers and benefits the public. Nongovernmental organizations, universities, government, private hospitals and all of you must unite behind making Antalya the Middle East's cancer city. One day a loved one, family member or we ourselves may face cancer. I invite everyone to share and work toward this dream.