I Can Serve: Helping women make informed decisions

CEBU, Philippines - October was declared Breast Cancer Awareness Month 25 years ago to educate people about the second most common form of cancer among women.

In the Philippines, I Can Serve Foundation, an advocacy group composed mostly of cancer survivors, was created in 1999, focusing on high impact campaigns on breast cancer. The organization provides women with breast care health and information so that women can make informed decisions about their health.

Internationally celebrated as Pink October, several pink-themed events were lined up to encourage total health and wellness among women and the entire community.

Let me share with you some vital information I gathered during the informative discussions on health, wellness and cancer prevention.

Mammography is the closest thing to a guarantee of early breast cancer detection which can save the lives of up to 90 percent of afflicted patients. It can detect the disease before it manifests into palpable changes on or around the breast area.

Breast cancer specialists say that misconceptions often cause women more anxiety than necessary. And in some cases the fear paralyzes women and prevents them from seeking the care that could lead to successful treatment.

Here, experts debunk some of the most common myths about breast cancer.

Myth: Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at risk.

Fact: A family history of breast cancer can increase a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer, but more than 90 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no history of the disease in their families.

Myth: Underwire bra cause breast cancer.

Fact: Rumors have suggested that underwire bras can constrict the body’s lymphatic system, causing breast cancer. This link between underwire bras and breast cancer is completely inaccurate.

Myth: Chemotherapy will always make a woman’s hair fall out.

Fact: Hair loss and other side effects of chemotherapy depend on the types of drugs administered, their dosage and the length of treatment.

Myth: Birth control pills cause breast cancer.

Fact: Even after prolonged use, studies show oral contraceptives do not cause breast cancer. Birth control pills do contain small amounts of estrogen and progesterone. However, the amount of these hormones is too small to pose a noteworthy risk.

I Can Serve vows to lead the women out of the dark so no one will know fear because of ignorance. No one will suffer alone. No one will ever lose hope.