Despite COVID-19 pandemic, Asian Breast Center urges breast cancer patients to seek medical care

The Asian Breast Center is urging breast cancer patients not to be afraid of seeking medical care despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview over Super Radyo dzBB on Wednesday, ABC president-CEO Dr. Norman San Agustin expressed alarm over the number of breast cancer patients who neglected to seek medical care due to the fear of contracting the coronavirus at health centers.

"Pag meron kayong cancer at na-operahan pa kayo, doble ang problema ninyo. Ang immune system ninyo, bababa, the more likely that you will develop COVID-19. Kaya ang mga pasyenye ngayon, natatakot magpatingin sa ospital," he explained.

Maraming breast cancer patients, hindi nakakapagpakonsulta sa doktor dahil sa takot sa COVID-19. #SuperBalitaSaTanghaliNationwide pic.twitter.com/hdffVA3oeV

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 29, 2020

During the interview, San Agustin cited cases wherein a patient neglected to seek treatment during the lockdown.

"Malubhang malubha ang stage nila. Kung nagpatingin sila noong Marso, mase-save silang lahat."

The health expert emphasized that there are free-standing and "COVID-safe" ambulatory centers that breast cancer patients can go to for treatment.

According to San Agustin, women don’t have to die from a disease that’s "100% curable.”

"Gusto ko lang pong ipahiwatig sa tao na hindi dapat silang matakot sa cancer. Matakot sila 'pag napabayaan 'yan," he said.

He repeatedly stressed that early detection and treatment is still possible despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Ngayong magmula noong June, hindi na mahigpit ang quarantine, puwede na silang magpatingin sila ngayon," San Agustin said.

"Kung maghihintay pa sila hanggang mayroong vaccine, hay nako medyo too late na at sobra kamahal po ang treatment 'pag medyo late stage na at karamihan po ay namamatay," he added. — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News

For more information, you may reach the Asian Breast Center at 8630616 or 0917-1-BREAST(273278).