'Breast cancer is now most common cancer in both sexes'

MANILA, Philippines - Breast cancer will overtake lung cancer as the leading deadly disease among Filipino women and men this year, a report by the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) showed.

Citing the PCS’s “2010 Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimate,” PCS chair Dr. Roberto Paterno said breasts would side step lungs as the “most common cancer site” in the country.

“This is significant as far as the national cancer control program is concerned as we need to intensify efforts to save our women from this deadly disease through early prevention and detection,” Paterno said.

He added the country would have to raise public awareness about cancer and make treatment affordable and easily available for poor patients.

The report showed that “breast cancer will be the leading site for both sexes combined (15 percent) and will rank 1st among women, accounting for 28 percent of all cases.”

This year, an estimated 12,262 new cases will occur among women while some 4,371 will die of breast cancer.

Following breasts as cancer sites are lungs, liver, cervix, colon, thyroid, rectum, ovary, and prostate. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer was also considered.

For women, the five common cancer sites are lungs, liver, prostate, colon and rectum, followed by breasts, cervix, ovary, and thyroid.

Paterno said the decrease in breast cancer cases could be attributed to the women’s increased awareness about the disease, enabling them to do self-screening of their breast or have it done by medical professionals.

The PCS report underscored the need for women to do self-examination and undergo annual breast examination when they reach 30.

The PCS and the Department of Health have embarked on a P15-million program that will provide free treatment for women with early stage cancer this year.

Under the program, poor patients can undergo a six-cycle treatment that is worth P36, 000 to P180, 000 each.