Self-examination key to fighting breast cancer

EARLY DETECTION. Dr. Arnielyn Marasigan Aguirre (left) and Dr. Arlene Dominguita (right) demonstrate the simple procedure of early detection of breast cancer during the launching of 'Sariling Salat ng Suso' (self breast examination) in celebration of 'International Women’s Day'  at the Sierra Makiling Commercial Complex, Sto. Tomas, Batangas on Friday (March 8, 2019). (Photo by Saul E. Pa-a)

STO. TOMAS, Batangas -- More than 200 women from here and Sta. Teresita, Batangas took part in the mass demonstration on proper breast self-examination on on Friday, to highlight its critical role in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

Dr. Arnielyn Marasigan Aguirre and Dr. Arlene Dominguita told the crowd during the launch of “Sariling Salat ng Suso” that breast cancer, one of the top causes of mortality among women in the country, could also be a disease among men.

The two female physicians, actively engaged in the grassroots-based health care service delivery at their “Klinika ng Bayan” here, shared the medical tips in observance of “International Women’s Day” at the Sierra Makiling Commercial Complex here.

Through actual demonstrations using the two mannequins, the doctors said breast cancer could be prevented if detected early through self-examination on a monthly basis; regular medical check-up; and a yearly breast examination to be conducted even by a trained barangay health worker (BHW).

“There is a need for early diagnosis through mammography for those 35 years old and above, especially those with a family history of breast cancer,” Aguirre said.

“We should not ignore this problem, rather we have to confront this as women,” she said, noting that “it is even more alarming that 70 percent of breast cancer cases involve women without known risk factors.”

She told the crowd that the first sign is a lump in the breast as one for every 13 Filipino women may be afflicted with breast cancer and if not averted, may result in death.

“Our advocacy on information and awareness is through self-examination because you are the first who could detect this, as most of those who come to us, are already in the middle stage of the disease,” she said.

Dominguita demonstrated the step-by-step process how to feel the breast for any abnormal growth, without being ashamed of performing this.

She lamented that one does not have to suffer and die from the disease if only early prevention could be made through self-detection of breast cancer.

Data from the Philippine Cancer Society and World Health Organization showed that one out of four women diagnosed with breast cancer dies within the first five years.

Self-detection of breast cancer is a health advocacy of the female doctors’ “Klinika ng Bayan”, which offers free diagnostic examinations for needy patients through the support of “Anakalusugan”, a partylist group.

Former presidential chief of staff Mike Defensor said their “Anakalusugan” is at the forefront of the advocacy for promoting the citizen’s health and welfare amid the rising cost of medicines and hospitalization.

“We in Anakalusugan do not represent a province or a region, nor do we claim to represent marginalized sectors, such as the women, workers, farmers, fisherfolk among others. We represent the whole nation, rich or poor, young and old, because health knows no political color or economic class,” said Defensor, who also graced the launch.

Former Philippine National Railways general manager Ower Andal also supported free diagnostic tests and maintenance medicines as crucial for both the preventive and curative aspects of health care, owing to the prohibitive costs of medicines and hospitalization.

“It is a great disservice to our kababayans (constituents) that in 2016, at least 60 percent of Filipinos died due to medical reasons -- that they were not able to see a doctor, getting the right diagnostic tests and proper prescriptions to their illnesses,” Andal remarked.

Former three-termer Sta. Teresita Mayor Darlo Ginete praised the barangay health workers and barangay nutrition scholars “who are mostly women as are our unsung heroes in their frontline medical and health services, especially in their roles in the recent measles outbreak and in the Dengvaxia scare.”

“We should take care of them by ensuring they get just compensation the form of allowance and other incentives like their regularization as government workers for taking care of our health,” Ginete urged. (PNA/By Saul Pa-a)