We cancer-vive!

CEBU, Philippines - Just stand up to cancer. Be Moonwalkers all our lives, every year.

This is how we are being called to act against breast cancer which already overtook lung cancer, beginning 2010, as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Cebuano women in terms of incidence.

This finding is based on the Cebu population-based Cancer Registry of the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center wherein a total of 3,005 reported breast cancer cases in Metro Cebu from 1993 to 2007 was recorded.

EJACC found a continuous increase of breast cancer incidence in Metro Cebu, over the past 10 years, caused by lifestyle and health-related factors. 

There is an estimated 150 women who die annually because of breast cancer. “This is because 69.74 percent of these cases have been reported only on the late stage. Financial constraint is cited as the main reason nganong dili makapa-check up ang mga kababayen-an. Let’s make it clear nga there are health groups and support groups available. I CAN SERVE, for example, sponsors 100 women who seek consultation or are referred to EJACC,” said Ronald delos Reyes, program coordinator of EJACC of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.

EJACC is at the compound of the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (formerly Southern Islands Hospital).

Further, he pointed out that “Moonwalk” (a unique advocacy campaign of RAFI held every full moon of October) aims to promote the importance of observing monthly breast self-examination (BSE) for women aged 20 years old and beyond.

BSE, which is recommended to be observed five to seven days after the last day of the menstruation period, is seen to have helped many women save their lives and their breasts. One of them is cancer survivor Lana Osmeña.

“Cure to breast cancer is achievable if only detected early,” delos Reyes stressed this during a short program at the vast grounds of The Walk, Asiatown IT Park last October 18.

After participants of the fun walk, donned in various shades of pink, formed a human ribbon, 42-year-old Osmeña shared how BSE has greatly helped her ward off cancer. “I’m so thankful to have been given a second chance [at life]. It was December 4, 2010 when I noticed a lump in my left breast. I have this habit of touching my breasts. Not for any other thing. It was done randomly in observance of BSE. On December 13, it was confirmed to be breast cancer. Stage 1. So, I underwent chemo, radiation therapy. Early detection was the key. We just have to check our breasts regularly, as there might be something growing in there,” she said.

As for those 40 years old and above, we are advised to undergo annual mammogram screening and clinical breast examination.

“Moonwalk is also a campaign of RAFI to get more people to be aware on the importance of early cancer detection and prevention. At the same time, it is a tribute to the victims and survivors of breast cancer,” delos Reyes added.

Moonwalk

The 8th Moonwalk assembled around 2,000 people on the lot beside Pag-ibig Fund Tower in Cebu Business Park at 5 p.m. of Oct. 18.

At 5:30 p.m., the Moonwalkers made up of members of support groups, health groups, government and local government units, civic/private groups, barangays/communities, schools; drum beaters, Pink Patrollers (bikers), emergency units from Perpetual Succour and ERUF, personnel from Citom and RAFI staff with Vice Governor Agnes Magpale walked to Asiatown IT Park, passing by Archbishop Reyes Avenue. Participants were a mix of cancer patients, women from the barangays, professionals and the youth.

For this year, Moonwalk was originally scheduled to happen under a full moon last October 12 but was postponed to Oct. 18 because of a report that tropical storm “Ramon” might hit Cebu in the early evening.

“We always hold the Moonwalk during a full moon and Oct. 12 was when the moon was at its fullest this month. Full moon - because it is symbolically linked to women. However, we have to postpone the event to Oct. 18 due to bad weather,” delos Reyes explained.

Moonwalk is organized in collaboration with The Walk and in coordination with Ayala Center Cebu and I CAN SERVE. It is supported by the Cebu City Government, Department of Health 7, Asiatown IT Park, Cebu Business Park, Allied Banking Corporation, Philippine National Bank, Cebu Praedia Development Corporation, Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente, Kahayag Network of Cancer Support Group and Destiny Medical Fund, Inc.

Moonwalk is an initiative of EJACC under the Integrated Development focus area of RAFI, addressing health issues of communities in order to create a better quality of life.