City BHWs trained on breast exams

CEBU, Philippines - In observance of “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” this October, the Barangay Health Workers (BHW) in Cebu City are encouraged to train on breast examination and early detection of cancer.

In line with this, City Councilor Lea Japson, chairman of the committee on health, is reminding private and government hospitals and diagnostic clinics and all other establishments to install a fast or express lanes which are also pink lanes for cancer survivors.

Japson explained that maintaining an environment is specifically beneficial to persons with cancer considering their sensitive and fragile situations.

This is through with the cooperation of the City Health Department and the Task Force Cancer of Cebu.

The task force was created to protect the welfare of the persons with cancer under City Ordinance No. 2162 enacted on November 26, 2008 authored by Councilor Nestor Archival.

“The said ordinance aims to protect and promote public health by engaging the cooperation and participation of all sectors of the community in information drive campaigns and advocacies towards maintaining a healthy environment, a climate that is beneficial to all and in particular to persons with cancer,” Japson said.

The Freeman tried to call City Health Department chief, Dr. Stella Ygoña, but no to avail.

The Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) Breast Center Clinic head, Dr. Saleshe Tracy Anne Fernandez, earlier reported that 227 have been diagnosed with cancer but only 30-percent of them allowed to be treated while the 70 percent did not anymore come back for treatment.

VSMMC and the city have been intensifying its awareness campaign to encourage breast cancer patients to undergo treatment. (FREEMAN)