Cancers Frequently Encountered in Türkiye and Worldwide and the Role of Nurses in Cancer Prevention

Cancer is recognized as one of the most significant non-communicable diseases health concerns on a global scale posing a substantial burden. In 2020, it accounted for 19.3 million newly diagnosed cases and 10 million fatalities worldwide. While early diagnosis and awareness are more prevalent in developed countries, cancer is often detected at advanced stages in developing nations. In Turkey, lung, breast, and colorectal cancers are among the most common types. Nurses play a vital role in identifying cancer risk factors, raising public awareness, and providing early diagnosis and preventive care. Their responsibilities in screening processes, including coordination, patient education, and advocacy, are critical in the fight against cancer. Strengthening these roles is considered an essential strategy for cancer prevention and control. Based on this information, the aim of this review is to analyze the global and national prevalence of cancer, analyze the most common cancer types, and evaluate the roles of nurses in cancer prevention and screening processes.