SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Feb. 23 (PIA) – In support of National Cancer Awareness Month, the Department of Health (DOH) in the Ilocos Region distributed 160 hygiene kits to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) in La Union on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
This initiative aims to ease the struggles of patients who are undergoing treatment.
In a statement, DOH-Region 1 Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiogco said, “The best way to protect one’s self from infection during cancer treatment is by practicing good hygiene such as hand-washing to prevent the spread of infection. The various hygiene practices such as taking a bath regularly and tooth brushing contribute to the reduction of cancer in the body.”
“These kits will provide the necessary supplies to complement the hygiene process a cancer patient need to perform. Napakaimportante na sila ay malinis sa kanilang pangangatawan upang masiguro ang kanilang kaligtasan sa anumang infection na maaaring dumapo habang sila ay napapa-chemotherapy,” she added.
(They must be clean in their bodies to ensure their safety from any infection that may affect them while they are undergoing chemotherapy.)
The package includes a germicidal soap, toothpaste with toothbrush and alcohol to complement basic hygiene practices like hand washing, keeping mouth healthy, and caring for minor cuts and wounds.
Regional Program Manager of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Francisco de Vera Jr. said the distribution of health kits is a way of showing care and concern for patients diagnosed with cancer.
“This well-considered care package can be helpful and special to people who are going through cancer treatment,” he added.
According to the DOH Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS), cancer has been the third leading cause of mortality in Region 1 from 2016 to 2020.
Among the top 10 most common cancers are breast, cervix uteri, colorectum, corpus uteri (endometrial cancer), leukemia, liver, lung, ovary, prostate, and thyroid cancer.
Breast cancer has the highest incidence rate and lung cancer has the highest mortality rate.
Around one-third of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity. (JCR/AMB/PIA Region 1)
