TURKISH PSYCHIATRIST RABIA BILICI has come together with D.R. Ozfur Akbiyik, specialist in oncology; and psychiatrist Meral Aybiyik in a talk to almost 70 people, on the early detection of cancer, addiction and gambling, on Sunday 20th of December at an event in Tottenham.
The event organised by Turkish Forum UK, England and Turkey Health Workers union and Bozca-Der Charity took place in the Bozca-Der headquarters in Tottenham.
The first speaker, Psychiatrist Rabia Bilgin, centred her presentation on the importance of diagnoses of addiction.
“Many families and patients find it hard to admit and understand that it is a disease of the brain… We use changes in work performance, relationships, how often and how much of the particular drug is used to diagnose addiction and the severity of it – a lack of diagnoses or mis-diagnoses carries the risk of the patient relapsing.”
Gambling is a huge issue in the Turkish speaking community. Only on Green Lanes, it is reported that 110 betting shops exist, an area populated heavily by Turkish speaking people.
“Gambling addicts usually rake up a lot of debt from family and friends and even banks. The addiction usually stems from a lack of time filled with more productive activities by unemployed or under-employed people. Gambling has a devastating effect on families: Some people lose their homes and everything they have,” said Meral Akbiyik, speaking on gambling addiction.
The third and last speaker, D.R Ozgur Ozyilkanm had this to say about Cancer (making up the general theme of his presentation): “Early detection is key, without it, an easily treatable cancer may become out of control and lead to more serious consequences, including disability and death.
The event closed with a Q&A session, which followed a refreshment break.
