Health
Posted on 12:08 PM, July 09, 2015
By Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman
Early detection
“DON’T EQUATE cancer with death,” doctors say. Still, the numbers are scary. According to the Philippine Cancer Society over 59,000 individuals die of cancer, while at least 98,200 patients are diagnosed with it, every year. The World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts that the number of cancer diagnosis will rise by 70% in the next 20 years. It adds that 60% of the world’s new cases come from Asia, Africa, and South America, which are the world’s poorest regions.
MAMMOGRAPHY plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it shows changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. -- HTTP://WWW.WAKEMED.ORG/
In the Philippines, the WHO says that lung, liver, and colorectal cancer are the deadliest among men, while for women it’s breast, colorectral, and lung cancer.
But the number of deaths from breast, cervix, lung, colorectal, mouth, and prostate cancers can be significantly decreased if they are detected early.
“From a data five years ago, 75% of cancer patients are diagnosed late,” said Dr. Corazon Ngelangel, the director of the Asian Cancer Institute (ACI), during a media conference on June 30.
The ACI is set to open on July 23 at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) in Filinvest City Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
The survival rate for lung cancer in the Philippines is poor because it is usually diagnosed late, said Dr. Ngelangel. The percentage of survival from breast cancer is relatively better because of heightened awareness and empowerment among women.
Fear and denial are the two main reasons why survival rates are bad, said Dr. Johanna Patricia Canal, MD, MHA, a resident oncologist at the ACI. When a patient is in denial, the tendency is for them to ignore the diagnosis, and thus the crucial treatment. Late stage cancer is harder to cure said Dr. Canal.
“Early diagnosis is the key. Don’t equate cancer with death. Fear paralyzes… Cancer is not necessarily a death sentence,” she said.
SPECIAL DOCTORThere are many sources of stress for cancer patients: there are the physical effects of treatment (e.g. falling hair), social stresses (lack of support and understanding from friends and family), and financial problems (the high cost of treatment). Staying positive is important.
ACI will provide support groups, psychosocial support, and spiritual advice to patients and family members.
“If we do not believe that the cure is coming, we wouldn’t be here,” said Dr. Canal.
She added that it takes a special kind of doctor to be an oncologist because while they absorb the stress of their patients and their families, they have to remain calm, professional, and reassuring.
While doctors save lives, they also need saving. The doctors at the AHMC have support groups and undergo debriefing themselves. “We are not super human,” they said.
ONE-STOP SHOPBesides fear and denial, one of the roadblocks to successful cancer treatment is the lack of an incorporated center where patients can undergo all treatments under one roof.
This is where AHMC’s Asian Cancer Institute comes in. Opening on July 23, ACI is a one-stop, integrated, multidisciplinary cancer prevention and management facility that offers a holistic approach in screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
The integrated system is meant to save a patient’s time and energy.
“For a multidisciplinary team approach to cancer care, you’re not only talking to one doctor with one specialty but you are talking to many doctors with different specialties who need to be caring for you. Cancer is multi-faceted in its treatment. You need surgery, you need drugs, you need support. So everything should be there at first diagnosis,” said Dr. Ngelangel. “That’s how cancer management is,” she added.
The center has integrated centers for screening, diagnosis, and surgical care; radiation therapy, nuclear and interventional oncology; pediatric and adult cancer area; and integrative, supportive, and palliative care services.
The heart of Metro Manila has other multidisciplinary cancer centers, but until the opening of ACI, the south of the metro has been underserved. According to Dr. Ngelangel, ACI is a strategic location for patients from Calabarzon and the south of the metro.
But the number of deaths from breast, cervix, lung, colorectal, mouth, and prostate cancers can be significantly decreased if they are detected early.
“From a data five years ago, 75% of cancer patients are diagnosed late,” said Dr. Corazon Ngelangel, the director of the Asian Cancer Institute (ACI), during a media conference on June 30.
The ACI is set to open on July 23 at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) in Filinvest City Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
The survival rate for lung cancer in the Philippines is poor because it is usually diagnosed late, said Dr. Ngelangel. The percentage of survival from breast cancer is relatively better because of heightened awareness and empowerment among women.
Fear and denial are the two main reasons why survival rates are bad, said Dr. Johanna Patricia Canal, MD, MHA, a resident oncologist at the ACI. When a patient is in denial, the tendency is for them to ignore the diagnosis, and thus the crucial treatment. Late stage cancer is harder to cure said Dr. Canal.
“Early diagnosis is the key. Don’t equate cancer with death. Fear paralyzes… Cancer is not necessarily a death sentence,” she said.
SPECIAL DOCTORThere are many sources of stress for cancer patients: there are the physical effects of treatment (e.g. falling hair), social stresses (lack of support and understanding from friends and family), and financial problems (the high cost of treatment). Staying positive is important.
ACI will provide support groups, psychosocial support, and spiritual advice to patients and family members.
“If we do not believe that the cure is coming, we wouldn’t be here,” said Dr. Canal.
She added that it takes a special kind of doctor to be an oncologist because while they absorb the stress of their patients and their families, they have to remain calm, professional, and reassuring.
While doctors save lives, they also need saving. The doctors at the AHMC have support groups and undergo debriefing themselves. “We are not super human,” they said.
ONE-STOP SHOPBesides fear and denial, one of the roadblocks to successful cancer treatment is the lack of an incorporated center where patients can undergo all treatments under one roof.
This is where AHMC’s Asian Cancer Institute comes in. Opening on July 23, ACI is a one-stop, integrated, multidisciplinary cancer prevention and management facility that offers a holistic approach in screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
The integrated system is meant to save a patient’s time and energy.
“For a multidisciplinary team approach to cancer care, you’re not only talking to one doctor with one specialty but you are talking to many doctors with different specialties who need to be caring for you. Cancer is multi-faceted in its treatment. You need surgery, you need drugs, you need support. So everything should be there at first diagnosis,” said Dr. Ngelangel. “That’s how cancer management is,” she added.
The center has integrated centers for screening, diagnosis, and surgical care; radiation therapy, nuclear and interventional oncology; pediatric and adult cancer area; and integrative, supportive, and palliative care services.
The heart of Metro Manila has other multidisciplinary cancer centers, but until the opening of ACI, the south of the metro has been underserved. According to Dr. Ngelangel, ACI is a strategic location for patients from Calabarzon and the south of the metro.
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