Dr Murat Koc has a great deal of experience in the field of female cancers. As well as his own practice, he runs a clinic at King Hamad University Hospital where he is the director of gynae-oncology, which is the preferred government option for cervical and ovarian surgery. He also spent many years as an oncology consultant in Germany as well as seven years as a consultant and department head at one of Bahrain’s premier private hospitals.
For the past year he has operated the Dr Murat Women’s Clinic specialising in minimally invasive gynaecology, in terms of diagnostics, with any necessary surgeries being performed by the doctor at the private hospital of the patient’s choice.
One of his several specialities is breast care. He says: “Figures show that one in eight women will be affected by breast cancer at some point in their lives. And here in the GCC the average age is lower than in Europe, which is down to multiple reasons.
“Many tests in Bahrain, and in general, diagnose cancer but do not necessarily accurately determine its stage for the most effective treatment. I am constantly working to bring in techniques and technologies that improve the accuracy of not only diagnosis but the correct stage and specifically the genetics of the tumour being diagnosed.”
The clinic carries out the required diagnostics that include ultrasound elastography, which is one of the most advanced forms of breast scan from the US and has been shown to provide heightened levels of accuracy. Dr Murat also provides laboratory services, including genetic testing, not just for the well-known BRACA genes but for other predisposing issues.
He says: “You have to bear in mind that not only is every patient different, but the genetics of every tumour are also different, so it is important to take this into account when determining treatment.
“Dr Murat Women’s Clinic prides itself on empowering women when it comes to their wellness. A key part of making a woman feel in control of a disease, that otherwise feels uncontrollable, is by making sure she feels she knows, as thoroughly as possible, what she is dealing with in her individual case along with supporting her so that she and her family don’t feel alone in their battle.
We ensure that all patients are given the relevant information, so they are kept aware throughout their treatment.“We also work with a Tumour Board – a group of specialist doctors who are working in cancer treatment and get together to formulate the best practice treatment advice.
“It is important to us to team up with fellow experts in the medical field to continuously enhance the quality of medical treatment in the country as part of a bigger ambition. We want to make sure patients faced with cancer diagnoses have options and advanced care when it comes to their particular condition.”
Speaking on the critical issue of awareness and regular screening, Dr Murat continues: “Early cancer screening is key to saving lives. And with each stage of your life, the check-ups you need change slightly. It is imperative that good habits start young. I often find that there is a perception that a pap smear or a breast exam can wait or that it’s ‘only important in my later years’. This is simply not true. Early screening starting from your teen years is the key to prevention of diseases such as breast or cervical cancer.
“We suggest all patients aged 30 to 45 have an ultrasound ever six months. After 45 we recommend a mammogram every two years. It is crucial for patients to be aware of the importance of early detection.
“If a cancer diagnosis is made, we speak with the patient and her family. We want them to be well informed at all stages of treatment, including aftercare.
“We’ve recently started using a new treatment, so it’s not only surgery with radio and chemotherapy. There is also, now, immunotherapy checkpoint treatment which allows us to specifically target the tumour. It’s not yet advanced enough to use this treatment alone but work is ongoing.” (See box.)
But, equally as importantly, Dr Murat adds: “We care a lot about prevention. We want patients to be aware of the need for regular screenings so that. if there is a problem, it is caught early.
“If treatment is needed, from lumpectomy [where just the lump is removed] to oncoplastic repair and reconstruction, we also provide excellent aftercare and continue to screen for the first five years.”
To promote awareness and early diagnosis, throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October, Dr Murat will be carrying out a number of presentations across the island speaking about his work and presenting information. The clinic will also be offering special rates for both pre- and post-menopausal women.
About Dr Murat
German and Bahrain Board-Certified Consultant for obstetrics/gynaecology and gynaecologic oncology, breast cancer specialist and advanced minimally invasive gynaecology specialist.
Dr Murat is a leading authority in minimally invasive gynaecology and the treatment of malignant and benign pelvic gynaecologic disease in the region. He is highly specialised and experienced in gynaecological/laparoscopic and gynaecological/breast cancer diagnostics and treatments. These include advanced cases and an approach that incorporates the latest and most innovative diagnostic and treatment options available. Heralding from expert practice in well-known hospitals and centres throughout Germany, he has performed a notably high number of successful surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Today, he is a first choice for minimally invasive surgery-seeking patients in the region, with a yearly high number of laparoscopic surgeries and very high levels of patient satisfaction. He has made pioneering progress in improving the sophistication of women’s healthcare in Bahrain, most notably with the establishment of a first-of-its-kind, internationally accredited ‘Center of Excellence in Minimal Invasive Gynaecology’ alongside his self-titled private practice – Dr Murat Women’s Clinic.
Immunotherapy, also called biologic therapy, is a type of cancer treatment that boosts the body’s natural defences to fight cancer. It uses substances made by the body or in a laboratory to improve or restore immune system function.
Checkpoint inhibitors are a type of immunotherapy. They block proteins that stop the immune system from attacking the cancer cells.
Our immune system protects us from disease, killing bacteria and viruses. One main type of immune cell that does this is called a T cell.
T cells have proteins on them that turn on an immune response and other proteins that turn it off. These are called checkpoints.
Some checkpoint proteins help tell T cells to become active: for example, when an infection is present. But if T cells are active for too long, or react to things they shouldn’t, they can start to destroy healthy cells and tissues. So other checkpoints help tell T cells to switch off.
Some cancer cells make high levels of proteins. These can switch off T cells, when they should really be attacking the cancer cells. So, the cancer cells are pushing a stop button on the immune system. And the T cells can no longer recognise and kill cancer cells.
Drugs that block checkpoint proteins are called checkpoint inhibitors. They stop the proteins on the cancer cells from pushing the stop button. This turns the immune system back on and the T cells are able to find and attack the cancer cells.
