CANCER AWARENESS – In the National Cancer Consciousness Week, oncologist Dr. Gay Lapus (left) says one-third of cancer is preventable, while another one-third can be cured if detected at its early stage. With Dr. Lapus are Dr. Mae Dolendo (center) and Dr. Chita Matunog at the Kapehan sa SM presscon. (Davao Today Photo by Alex D. Lopez)
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Among the cases of cancer that patients suffer in the Philippines today, breast cancer is still considered on top of leading cases, oncologists here revealed during a press briefing held at the ‘Kapehan sa SM’ on Monday.
The press briefing was also part of the massive information drive being done by oncologists and other medical practitioners here in line with the celebration of the national cancer consciousness week to increase the awareness of the local populace on cancer.
“One-third of all cancer cases are preventable while the other one-third are curable if detected early,” said Dr. Gay Lapus, an oncologist based here in Davao City.
Dr. Lapus noted that it is important for the people to be informed well that there are measures available to prevent cancer. Early detection, she added, is also important to help patients to combat and cure cancer.
“Majority of the people fear cancer, others are afraid of knowing they have cancer, and such fear also prevent some people to go for regular check-ups,” Dr. Lapus added.
Nationwide, she said, breast cancer is still considered as leading cancer disease among adult patients, followed by cervical, lung and liver cancers.
Another oncologist from this city, Dr. Mae Dolendo said almost 90 percent of cancer patients are adult while only 10 percent are children.
Dr. Dolendo specializes on children with cancer. She noted that among the children with cases of cancer, leukemia is the most common case.
In Mindanao, she added, they were able to record a total of 1,000 cases of cancer among children in 2012 while for this year there are already 192 new cases recorded.
Dr. Lapus also added that there are good preventive measures available against cancer and what is important at present is to effectively inform the public on these measures.
Oncologists and other medical practitioners in the city are scheduled to appear and guest in different TV and radio shows in the locality to talk about cancer, its prevention and cure.
Dr. Lapus said media exposures are effective tools to inform the public regarding cancer. (Alex D. Lopez, davaotoday.com)
