Cavite teachers undergo cancer screening

MANILA, Philippines —  Up to 150 public school teachers in Cavite availed themselves of the free cervical and breast cancer screening conducted on Friday by the Department of Health.

The DOH said the project aims to empower women to take control of their health and promote health education and cancer awareness in schools and communities.

“With early screening, chances for cancer to progress is lessened because patients can immediately avail themselves of proper treatment,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said in a statement.

Herbosa said that for a community to be strong, it’s women residents must be healthy.

“The Philippines is a matriarchal society. We have to take care of the women,” he said.

The health agency said cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among Filipino women, while breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country.

“Despite the growing burden caused by these diseases, cervical cancer screening rates remain alarmingly low,” the DOH said.

Among those who availed themselves of cancer screening services are teachers from the Angelo Loyola School in Carmona, where the activity was conducted.

The health department said the project aims to screen 320,000 women aged 30 to 65 years in Calabarzon.

The DOH said it would launch a similar activity in other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the DOH-Central Luzon Center for Health Development conducted a cancer awareness summit in San Fernando, Pampanga on Thursday and Friday.

Corazon Flores, DOH-Central Luzon chief, said the summit aims to improve cancer care and management in the region.

“We want to empower people, raise awareness and ensure that cancer patients receive the support they deserve,” Flores said.

Health representatives from public and private sectors discussed innovative approaches relating to cancer-control and patient support system as well as cancer assistance fund.