BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - Amidst the Coronavirus Disease pandemic, advocacy on breast cancer awareness especially on the importance of early detection should be a continuing effort as such illness remains to be the top cancer in the country.

Minda’s Buddies, a Baguio – based breast cancer support group, stressed this in a webinar dubbed as “DIBDIBang Usapan 2021” conducted last October 22 in partnership with the ICanServe Foundation Inc. and the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) Luzon Cluster 1.

 Cancer Coalition of the Philippines President Dr. Ramon Severino shared that based on the GloboCan 2018 (an online database providing estimates of incidence and mortality in 185 countries), of the 141,021 cancer cases in the Philippines, breast cancer tops with 24,798 or 17.6 percent.

The GloboCan 2018 also shows that of the 141,021 cancer cases among women in the country, breast cancer also accounted the most number at 31.4 % t with 24,798 cases, he said.

Severino also shared that health experts have not yet determined the cause of breast cancer but there are identified risk factors such as family history and personal history of breast cancer, previous chest radiation,  lifestyle – related risk factors like having children, birth control, hormone therapy after, menopause, breastfeeding, drinking alcohol, being overweight or obesity and physical activity, among others.

Though still the top cancer case in the country, breast cancer is curable and with less expensive medication when detected early and the best mode of detection starts with a self – breast examination or   “sariling salat sa suso”, he stressed.

Breast cancer when detected at stage 1 or less has 100% survival rate and the survival percentage goes lower as the cancer stage detection number goes higher, Severino explained

Minda’s Buddies head Maria Victoria Bugasto, a breast cancer survival herself, calls for a united front in strengthening breast cancer awareness especially the importance of early detection  as it will be the key factor for treatment and survival.(

"Let us make the October promotion of Breast Cancer Awareness Month  an everyday and year-round advocacy," Bugasto said.

In the webinar, ICanServe Foundation Inc. Founding President Kara Magsanoc – Alikpala, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and and DICT North Luzon 1 Regional Director Nestor Bongato also shared their messages of support to breast cancer awareness advocacy. .(JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)