CEBU, Philippines – Cancer used to be like a death sentence for victims, as many cancer patients would become hopeless right away.
But with various researches regarding cancer and the many therapies available, plus the advancement of technology and early detection, cancer does not have to be a death sentence anymore.
This is what was stressed by Dr. Ang Peng Tiam, senior consultant and medical doctor of Parkway Cancer Centre (PCC) in Singapore. He is known in the field of oncology and delivered a free medical talk on cancer and free one-to-one discussion last Saturday at the PAGCOR Teatro at Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City. The event was initiated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Cebu and the PCC.
Dr. Ang said that Filipino cancer patients should not lose hope because there are many therapies available. Although some are expensive, he said there are also cheaper options.
"Do not loose hope because we are doing what we can do to minimize the suffering of cancer patients," said Ang.
He stressed that teamwork is very important in treating a cancer patient. Team members, he said, must know of the capabilities of one another as they complement each other in the process of treatment.
During the forum, Dr. Ang stated that many cancers are diagnosed late because they have no symptoms in the early stages.
Some late diagnosis are also due to the patient's denial or refusal to acknowledge the symptoms as they think cancer cannot be cured or they fear of the treatment process.
Superstition or treatment by alternative medicines also hampers the immediate diagnosis for some.
According to Dr. Ang it's difficult to say which is the most dangerous kind of cancer.
But he said almost all the stage four cancers are dangerous, with the exception of testicular cancer and cancer of the lymph nodes.
In these two, he said, even if the cancer is widespread, there is still a good chance of cure because they are very sensitive to chemotherapy.
According to the PCC, lung cancer tops in the list of number of deaths among cancer in men, followed by cancer of the stomach, liver, colorectal (colon/ bowel), esophagus and prostate.
Among women, the most common is breast cancer followed by cancer of the lung, stomach, colorectal and cervix.
A healthy diet, exercise and avoiding of cigarettes could prevent many types of cancer.
Also during the forum, Dr. Ang dispelled myths related to cancer, such as drinking diet soda drinks. He denied that such kind of drink would cause cancer. (THE FREEMAN)