Fight vs cancer now on video

MANILA, Philippines - In a bid to reach out to more women on the importance of breast cancer awareness, an advocacy group has come out with an instructional DVD on Breast Self-Examination (BSE). ICanServe Foundation launched the disc in line with its community-based breast screening program Ating Dibdibin. The Tagalog version of the video, titled Ating Dibdibin, is narrated by Dawn Zulueta while the English version "Take your Breast Cancer to Heart" is presented by Lea Salonga. Each clocks under 10 minutes. The video — which features other recognizable faces like survivors actress Melissa De Leon and sister Toni Abad, model Isabel Roces and racecar driver Gabby dela Merced — reminds Filipinas of the importance of "breast care" and entreats them to take the time to be "in the pink of health" in order to "better care for [their] loved ones." ICanServe’s program, launched in June, aims to fight the ignorance and fear women have of cancer in order to make breast self examination and clinical exams a lifetime habit. Under the program, the foundation and the Marikina government are collaborating to source funds for breast cancer screening and have created link-ups for treatment for the women who test positive for breast cancer. This is expected to be replicated nationwide. Beyond awareness Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women aged 34 to 55 worldwide. In terms of incidence, the Philippines is ranked ninth in the world and first in Asia. Consistent with the Department of Health and the American Cancer Society, ICanServe believes that early breast cancer detection is key to winning the fight against breast cancer. Naturally, the video stresses three practical guidelines: women in their 20s must perform BSE once a month; women in their 30s must also perform a BSE each month and submit to a clinical breast exam once a year; while women in their 40s should have a yearly mammogram aside from performing a monthly BSE and an annual clinical exam. "BSE takes a few minutes but it is the wisest time investment you will ever make. Make it a lifetime commitment to yourself and your loved ones," Ms. Salonga says in the video. Lynn Catuncan, program manager of the Ating Dibdibin National Breast Cancer Screening Program, says these guidelines cannot be overstated given the discrepancy between awareness and action, evidenced by the foundation’s recently commissioned study measuring awareness and attitudes of Marikina women regarding breast cancer. "We found out that a high percentage (99%) know that they have to [practice BSE]. But when they were asked if they do it religiously, that 99% dropped to almost zero," Ms. Catuncan told BusinessWorld. "They know that they should do it, they know exactly the strengths of early detection, but they don’t practice it," she added. The video provides a practical, step-by-step demonstration on how to correctly perform a monthly breast self-examination. Advice can range from general information such as that BSEs are conducted a week after the first day of a young woman’s period or on the same day each month for post-menopausal women to the specifics of how to position one’s self when conducting the exam, using the pads of the three middle fingers in varying pressures and looking for breast cancer indications. Examples of the latter include discharge, dimpling, swelling, rashes and discoloration, among others. "There’s a proper way of examining. It’s possible to miss out on a lump," ICanServe vice-president executive director Alice Orleans said in a separate interview. "By experience, most of those who recovered did after discovering [a lump through self-examination]. If you notice something is different or feels different, then that’s the signal to go to your doctor," she added. Personal vigilance As women get older, the probability of developing breast cancer becomes greater. The 1998 Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates released by the National Statistical Board estimated that one out of 2,212 women will probably have breast cancer by age 30; one out of 235 women by age 40; one out of 54 women by age 50; one out of 23 women by age 60; one out of 14 women by age 70; and one out of 10 women by age 80. In a speech she gave at the launch, Ms. Zulueta shared her breast cancer scare, where she underwent a mammogram when she was 23 (women with a genetic history of breast cancer are encouraged to take the test early), only to neglect it and discover a near-imperceptible lump behind her nipple at 35. "The only chance you get to survive this disease is when you track it down in its early stages. Be vigilant about your health," she said. "The knowledge that you getempowers you to do more. You could detect it early and be able to get treatment." She said she accepted the project because she wants to get the message across in Tagalog, particularly to the grassroots level, as the disease "not only [affects] the educated or the privileged, anyone can be struck by this cancer." Ms. Orleans pointed out that avoiding and eliminating known causes might prevent breast cancer, but even a fitness buff like herself who doesn’t smoke or drink alcohol and "did all the right things" still contracted and combated the disease. Twice. Early detection and faith — not giving in to despair but maintaining a sense of humor and hope — got her through. Similarly Ms. Orteza, scriptwriter and ICanServe spokesperson, emphasized that "breast cancer is not a death sentence." (ICanServe is made up of cancer survivors.) She joked that there’s Kapamilya and Kapuso referring to the two rival networks ABS-CBN and GMA, but that what really matters is Kasuso — the support system or network of people that take up the cause. In Marikina, ICanServe has an agreement with Amang Rodriguez Medical Center for free fine-needle biopsy and discounted excise biopsy, with a chance of providing free mammography services as soon as the machine promised by the local government becomes available. Incidentally, a mammogram at the Philippine General Hospital costs around P600. At other hospitals or centers, it can cost P1,000 and above. Other than promoting early detection in lectures and the scheduled video screening at health centers, ICanServe’s initial session of community-based screening of 500 people found 14 with suspicious or diagnostic lumps. An additional seven women were recommended to undergo fine needle biopsy while 23 women aged 40 and above were recommended to undergo mammography. At least five of those screened were men, and two of the foundation’s volunteers are also men (one a police colonel) who survived breast cancer. "It’s not just awareness; we offer treatment. And I think it’s really the hope that you give these women. Even if you’re diagnosed with cancer, there is really hope," Ms. Catuncan said. "[When you hear] the word cancer, everybody gets scared. It’s like being sentenced. We’re trying to take away that fear and change it really to hope," she added. The DVD, priced at P200 each, was produced by AsianEye Productions, written by Bibeth Orteza and Meryl Graham, and directed by Jeannette Ifurung with cinematography by Lee Meily. It was made possible by a grant from the C-Network, an alliance of individuals and organizations for the enhancement of the standards of cancer care and education of Filipino patients and their families. Those who support the advocacy by buying in bulk are guaranteed that every single DVD sold will fund at least one complimentary copy targeted for release to hospitals, public schools, and barangay health centers starting in Marikina City. - BusinessWorld