The “Stronger Together” awareness event, organized by the Medical Oncology Department of Pamukkale University Hospitals, was held with strong participation on April 1, 2026. The program, inspired by a real patient story, revealed that the fight against cancer is not only a medical process but also an emotional and social one.

At the stands set up during the event, participants were informed about early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment processes related to breast, colon, and cervical cancers. In the “Letter to Myself” project, letters written by individuals who had completed their treatment created emotional moments for visitors, while also serving as a hopeful guide for newly diagnosed patients.

A patient who had successfully completed cancer treatment and spoke at the event described their experience as follows: “Today, I stand before you not only as a speaker but as an individual who was once referred to as a cancer patient and has now regained their health. The slogan of this program is very meaningful: ‘We are stronger together.’ I am a living example of this sentence. About three years ago, my life suddenly changed. The diagnosis I received deeply affected not only my body but also my mind, my emotions, and my perspective on life. In those first moments, many thoughts cross one’s mind: fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and most importantly the question, ‘What will I do now?’ Unfortunately, the perception that cancer is increasing today can lead many patients to seek different alternatives. The question ‘Is there another way?’ can sometimes distance people from the right treatment. But I want to say this very clearly: If I am here today, it is because I trusted the right treatment at the right time and in the right place. Please do not be late. Hold on to scientific facts, not uncertain hopes. Trust your physicians, not hearsay.”

Professor Gamze Gököz Doğu, Head of the Medical Oncology Department, stated in her speech: “Esteemed members of the protocol, dear colleagues, valued guests, and most importantly our dear patients, the true heroes of this struggle; today we have gathered here not only for an awareness program but also to remember a reality together: The fight against cancer is not only against a disease but also against misinformation, fear, and hopelessness. Every cancer diagnosis is actually a turning point in a story. At that moment, life is divided into two: before and after. The ‘after’ often begins with uncertainty, anxiety, and a search. We want to deliver a very clear message from here: Our patients are not alone on this journey. They have science, a team, effort, and most importantly an unyielding hope by their side. This program is not just an event; it is also a very valuable step taken to spread accurate information, raise public awareness, and touch lives. At this very point, two paths appear before our patients: one is the path of science, reason, and reliable knowledge; the other is the path of uncertainty, hearsay hopes, and unfortunately, often irreversible losses. As physicians, we clearly know this: our strongest weapon in cancer treatment is early diagnosis, accurate information, and scientific treatment.”

Pamukkale University Vice Rector and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor İbrahim Türkçüer, stated in his speech, “The fight against cancer is not only the responsibility of the healthcare system but of the whole society. Such awareness events are of great importance in spreading awareness of early diagnosis.”

The balloon release event held within the scope of the program became a symbolic expression of awareness with messages released into the sky. The program concluded by creating strong awareness and consciousness among participants.