DAVAO CITY -- The Davao Cancer Society beefed up its awareness campaign to reach out to women to submit for regular physical check up.
Dr. Alex Tan, vice president of the Davao Cancer Society said the situation is quiet alarming even as he cited that out of 100,000 population of Filipinas, 47 have breast cancer.
He said there are three risk factors namely, hereditary, early menstruation and late menopause.
Among the cancer cases he said breast cancer is number one, followed by cervical then the colon.
Although he did not recommended what diet to follow he said the Japanese women are of low risk in breast cancer saying that maybe because of their lifestyle and their diet mostly of fish and vegetables compared to that in the US when their diet is of high protein meat food.
Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) growth that begins in the tissues of the breast and the most common cancer in women.
Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way.
Tan stressed however that cancer is curable if treated at an early stage.
"Our group has beef up its awareness campaign as many women still do not submit for regular check up," he said.
He said women ages 50 and above must have a yearly test for mammography while 40 to 50 years old every other year. The procedure is not recommended for 40 years old and below but still must submit for physical check up.
Meanwhile, as part of their campaign Tan said a Breast Cancer Awareness Day will be undertaken by the Atty. Eugenia Marfori Celi Foundation on October 23 at SM Entertainment Center where a Breast Cancer Awareness Lecture for lay people will be held with the participation of Melissa de Leon, a breast cancer survivor.
There will also be personal testimonies of other breast cancer survivors, Tan said.
During the activity, he said a free breast examination and consultation of breast diseases will also be held. There will be free breast ultrasound, free breast fine needle aspiration biopsy, free drug samples for breast cancer patients.
Spearheaded by the Davao Cancer Society, the event is supported by AMUMA Cancer Support Group Foundation, Inc., Philippine College of Surgeons, Manila, Philippine Society of General Surgeons, Inc. Marco Polo Hotel Davao, Jollibee and Philippine Airlines. (PNA)
LOR/Prix Digna D. Banzon/lvp
