Taguig brings anti-breast cancer drive to barangays
As the whole world celebrates Breast-Cancer Awareness this month, Taguig City has stepped up its “Ating Dibdibin” anti-breast cancer campaign by bringing its screening and information program to each of the city’s 28 barangays.
“Women are at high risk to have breast cancer. But we know that early detection is essential key to prevent and control breast cancer that is why we are doing this program about the importance of breast self-examination,” said Mayor Lani Cayetano.
Launched last March, “Ating Dibdibin” program is being implemented in cooperation with the I Can Serve Foundation, an advocate of early breast cancer detection through high-impact information campaigns and community-based screenings.
“We created a group of doctors, nurses and midwives to supervise and guide the patients in the diagnosis and management of their cases,” said Dr. Erlinda Rayos del Sol, assistant city health officer and coordinator of “Ating Dibdibin” program.
The 79-man medical team dedicated to the “Ating Dibdibin” program is composed of 32 doctors, 28 nurses and 17 midwives.
Upon the launch of the program, the initial screening focused on the city government’s female employees. It was in late September, after the medical team was completed and trained, that barangay-level screenings and information campaign began.
In her report to Mayor Lani, Dr. Rayos del Sol said about 2,000 women have been screened to-date, with some 200 evaluated to have positive breast mass.
Patients found to have suspicious breast mass were then subjected to further evaluation through ultrasound, chest x-ray or mammography. Depending on the condition of each case, they will undergo biopsy, surgery or chemotherapy.
Mayor Lani said that the city government will provide assistance for the treatment or additional diagnostic needs of the patients up to the time they recuperate.
For the implementation of “Ating Dibdibin” program, Taguig City has partnered with the Philippine Cancer Society, state hospitals such as Philippine General Hospital, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center and Rizal Medical Center, as well as private-run Springfield Breast Care Center.
It is in these health centers where patients will undergo further medical examinations or surgeries, with the assistance of the city government, as well as Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Pia Cayetano.
In Southeast Asia, the Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer among women. It also ranks 9th in the world in breast cancer incidence.
TAGALOG VERSION:
Kaugnay sa pagdiriwang ng buong mundo sa Breast Cancer Awareness Month ngayong buwan, pinaigting ng lungsod ng Taguig ang programang nitong “Ating Dibdibin” laban sa breast cancer sa pamamagitan ng malawakang breast screening at information drive na isasagawa sa lahat ng 28 barangay ng lungsod.
“May mataas na posibilidad na magkaroon ng breast cancer ang kababaihan. Batid natin na susi para magwagi laban sa breast cancer ay ang maagang pagkatuklas dito na dahilan kung bakit may programa tayo tungkol sa self- breast examination,” pahayag ni Mayor Lani Cayetano.
Inilunsad noong Marso ang “Ating Dibdibin” sa pakikipagtulungan ng lokal na pamahalaan at I Can Serve Foundation na nagsusulong sa kahalagahan ng maagang pagtuklas ng breast cancer sa pamamagitan ng epektibong information campaign at breast screening sa mga komunidad.
“Nagbuo kami ng grupo ng mga doktor, nurse at midwife para gabayan ang mga pasyente kung paano nila tutugunan ang kanilang karamdaman,” pahayag ni Dr. Rayos Del sol, assistant city health officer at coordinator ng “Ating Dibdibin” program.
Ang medical team na nakatoka sa implementasyon ng “Ating Dibdibin” program ay binubuo ng 79-katao, kabilang ang 32 doktor, 28 nurse at 17 midwife.
Sa paglunsad ng programa Marso ng taong ito ay unang isinalang sa screening ang mga babaing kawani ng pamahalaang lungsod. Nitong huling bahagi ng Setyembre, matapos makumpleto at maisailalim sa pagsasanay ang medical team, inumpisahan naman ang information campaign at screening sa mga barangay.
Sa kanyang ulat kay Mayor Lani, sinabi ni Dr. Rayos del Sol na tinatayang 2,000 kababaihan na ang nasuri sa ilalim ng programa, na kung saan nasa 200 ang nakitaan ng bukol sa suso.
Yaong mga may kahina-hinalang bukol sa dibdib ay isina-ilalim sa mga karagdagang pagsusuri sa pamamagitan ng ultrasound, x-ray o di kaya ay mammography. Depende sa kondisyon ng bawat kaso, maari silang sumailalim sa biopsy, operasyon at chemotherapy.
Tiniyak ni Mayor Lani na tutulong ang pamahalaang lungsod sa pagpapagamot o di kaya ay sa karagdagang pagsasailalim sa pagsusuri hanggang sa gumaling ang mga pasyente
Katuwang ng pamahalaang lungsod sa “Ating Dibdibin” ang Philippine Cancer Society at mga government hospital tulad ng Philippine General Hospital, Joise Reyes Memorial Medical Center at Rizal Medical Center gayundin ang pribadong Springfield Breast Care Center.
Sa mga nabanggit na pagamutan sasailalim sa mas malalim pang pagsusuri at gamutan ang mga pasyente sa tulong ng pamahalaang lungsod at nina Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano at Senator Pia Cayetano.
Sa Timog Silangang Asya, ang Pilipinas ang may pinakamataas na bilang ng breast cancer sa mga kababaihan. Pang-siyam naman ito sa mga bansa sa buong mundo na may maraming kaso ng breast cancer.