With targeted treatments, cancer听is听no longer听a听death sentence
BECAUSE OF听advances in cancer therapy and prevention efforts, patients have a higher chance of surviving cancer and living a full life as a cancer survivor.听听听
鈥淭oday, we don鈥檛 treat cancer as a deadly disease, but as a chronic disease we can treat,鈥 said Dr. Maria Luisa Abesamis-Tiambeng, chairman of Cardinal Santos Medical Center鈥檚 Cancer Institute, in听.听听
Treatments听can target听cancer cells without affecting healthy ones.听听uses beams of intense energy from a machine aimed at precise points on a patient鈥檚 body.听听
In radiotherapy, high energy beams target only the tumor, Dr. Pauline Anne P.听Cauton听added, a medical oncologist and consultant at the same institute.听听听
Other modes of cancer treatment include surgery,听听(which听uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells),听听(which听uses drugs that targets the proteins that drive cancer growth), and听听(which听uses certain parts of a person鈥檚 immune system to fight diseases).听听听
鈥淪urgery is the definitive treatment for certain types of cancer,鈥 Dr.听Cauton听told the webinar audience. 鈥淚f听kaya听tanggalin, gusto听natin听tanggalin听[If the cancer can be removed, then we remove it].鈥 She added that the three considerations for getting treatment is determining what type of cancer is present, where in the body is at present, and if an individual鈥檚 body can handle which treatment.听听
Different kinds of cancers require different treatments. Dr.听Cauton听cautioned against comparing one鈥檚 cancer with that of a neighbor.听 鈥淓ven if both of you have听, the approach will still be different,鈥 she said.听听听
Given the gravity of a cancer diagnosis, support mechanisms are also an important part to cope with the emotional impact of the disease.听听that offer this support include East Avenue Medical Center鈥檚 Breast Friends, St. Luke鈥檚 Medical Center鈥檚 Corridor of Hope, and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute鈥檚 Cancer Support Group.听听
Dr.听Tiambeng听said that, apart from its own cancer support group, Cardinal Santos Medical Center additionally has a shop for the purchase of wigs, prosthetic bras, lymphedema stockings, and other items that offer comfort and normalcy to survivors.听听
, or swelling in the arms and legs that occurs when lymph nodes are damaged, is a complication of breast cancer treatment. Radiation therapy that removes lymph nodes under the breast cancer patient鈥檚 arm can cause scarring, which in turn affects the drainage of fluids from the body.听听听
Dr.听Tiambeng听also acknowledged the role finances play in cancer treatment, even as she mentioned听, among these the听National听Government鈥檚听Malasakit听Centers.听听
鈥淒o not give up if you think you have no money to support your treatment,鈥 she said. 鈥淏e honest about the hindrances you might have, and we will be ready to help.鈥澨
Cancer was the听听in the country from January to June 2021, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. 鈥斕Patricia B. Mirasol听
听听
Avon to host simultaneous breast self-check听
BEAUTY BRAND听Avon will hold The听Boobment, a simultaneous breast self-check on Oct. 21 at the Avon Philippines Facebook page at 6 p.m.听听
The听Boobment听aims to encourage Filipinos to do regular checkups through a simple routine that women can do every month.听听
According to the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, the Philippines has the highest number of breast cancer diagnoses among Asian countries, with three out of 100 Filipinos developing the disease before they reach the age of 75.听听
Early detection of the symptoms is one of the best ways to prevent and treat breast cancer. Survival rate increases to 90% if detected early.听
鈥淚t is very important that we let everyone know that this disease can be addressed early, especially when you do self-checking right at home,鈥 said Marion Limlengco, Avon Philippines head of communications.听
Through The听Boobment, Avon seeks to raise funds on behalf of the Philippine Cancer Society and Breast Cancer patients. The public may either donate via听GCash听QR code or through the purchase of limited-edition fundraising items at the Avon Shop.听听
Avon also partnered with KonsultaMD, a subscription-based telehealth service, to provide an alternative avenue of consultation for those who might detect symptoms of breast cancer.听
For more information, visit听avon.ph.听October is breast cancer awareness month.听
