BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – The Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO) emphasized the importance of cancer screening for early detection for higher possibility of getting treated or delay the progression of the disease.
The CHSO reported that from 2022 to 2024, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the city.
CHSO Cancer Control program manager Dr. Ana Marie Banta bared that lung cancer topped in 2022 and 2023, followed by breast cancer.
Colon cancer was third in 2022, and in 2023, it was brain. For 2024, breast cancer was first with lungs in second place, and hematologic or blood cancer in third place.
Banta emphasized that it is important for the public to be aware of the early warning signs of cancer such as losing weight, body aches, and lumps in the body.
Early detection means a higher possibility of getting treated, she said.
“Parang death sentence na kapag sinabing may cancer ka, ‘ay naku, mamamatay na ako’, but in actuality, pwede po siyang gamutin. Nagagamot po ang cancer and the government has certain programs para hindi po ganun kabigat ang gastos natin sa treatment,” Banta said.
She shared that with ‘Tamang pagkain, Ehersisyo, at Disiplina’, people with high risk of cancer can help prevent it from developing.
Banta is inviting everyone to join their free cancer screening program on February 24 at the Malcom Square from 9:00AM to 3:00 PM to increase people’s awareness of cancer and its treatments.
This is open to all residents in and outside of Baguio, and the breast screening is not limited to females but also includes males.
“Invite ko po kayo sa February 24 sa Cancer Awareness Screening Drive natin and continuous pa rin ang screening natin sa mga 16 health centers ng Baguio City. We can beat cancer,” Banta said.
She informed that cancer assistance funds and cancer supportive palliative medicine access programs are available at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC).
Banta also mentioned the upcoming cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship initiatives.
Among these are the localization of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) with the approval of the Baguio City Integrated Cancer Control Program; citywide screening for breast and cervical cancer; establishment of the Cancer Care Clinic at the CHSO; referral of patients to BGHMC through telemedicine; HC referral of patients with breast mass to BGHMC radiology department; visual inspection with acetic acid and clinical breast exam at the City Hall Clinic every fourth Thursday of the month; inclusion of fecal occult blood test as part of the Konsulta package, and a cancer registry.
The National Integrated Cancer Control Act declared February as National Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness and foster community engagement against cancer and improve the outcomes for those affected by the disease. [JDP/DEG/Chelsea Mas- PIA-SLU Intern]
