Survival rate of cancer patients expected to increase

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO), in partnership with the Department of health (DOH), held a cancer survivorship lecture and forum for cancer patients who are undergoing treatment and complementary medicine.

With the third week of January being national Cancer Consciousness Week and Feb. 4 being World Cancer Day, the lecture was conducted with the aim of helping cancer patients in addressing proper issues on nutrition.

The lecture was held inside the DOH conference room yesterday.

Dr.Noemi Uy, an oncologist, told The FREEMAN that this very first lecture about cancer survivorship would not be possible without the help of Dr. Omid Etemadi who attended a screening in University of Arizona regarding integrated oncology. 

“We are so lucky that one of our colleagues, Dr. Omid Etemadi, came home from a screening on integrated oncology,  wa man gud ni sa atong country not until Dr. Omid came back, so we are the first in the country to create a program like this,” Uy said.

Dr. Uy said that the main focus of the forum is for cancer patients to be aware of the preventive measures and to have a good quality of life regardless of their illness.

“You know when you are diagnosed with cancer, automatic man gud huna-huna nila na mamatay nako kay naa koy cancer but no, treatment for cancer has evolved in our country. Matambalan lang na ilang bukol, they will get cured.”

Dr. Uy also shared that they also asking the assistance of PhilHealth regarding their No Balance Billing policy (NBB) to provide optimal financial risk protection for all its members, including the poorest of the poor.

“We are also working with PhilHealth so that patients who cannot afford can be helped kay naa ta sa PhilHealth na free, no balance billing but we’re just starting with breast cancer pa lang.”

She then added that they are expecting the survival rate of cancer patients to increase with the help of the lectures, forums and other outreach programs they would have.

“Most survivors nga ni-attend karon have survived for almost 5 years and they are stage 4 disease so makita nato na lipay atong mga survivor, kay makatubag ta unsay angay kan-on, ug makatubag ta unsay angay tumaron (..our survivors are happy because we can advise them on what to eat and what medicines to take.)”

Marilyn Cinco, 52, stage 3 breast cancer patient told The FREEMAN that the forum is of great help to cancer patients like her especially in connection with the proper nutritional treatments.  — (FREEMAN)