TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, (PIA) – No more worries about the high cost of treatment and hassle in going to Manila to avail of services for breast cancer as the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) is now capable to offer the same service.

Dr. Odessa Tiangco, medical specialist III (surgeon), said as of today, CVMC Cancer Center manages about 136 breast cancer patients under surveillance of which 106 are undergoing chemotherapy.

The Cancer Center provides screening, rehabilitation, and after-treatment surveillance for breast cancer patients.

Established in 2019, the Cancer Center here is the first in the region and an initiative to continuously upgrade the facilities and services of the center according to Medical Center Chief Dr. Glenn Mathew Baggao as they are eyeing CVMC to be a mega hospital in Northeast Luzon.

In July last year, CVMC has acquired equipment for its Cancer Center- Full Field Digital Mammography with 3D Tomosynthesis and Stereotactic Breast Biopsy of which this can detect breast mass if it's cancer or benign.

Breast cancer according to Dr. Tiangco is the current leading cancer in the Philippines replacing lung cancer which early signs include a fixed lump on the breast. 

She also added that the leading causes of breast cancer is  genetic and hormonal.

Dr. Tiangco further said there’s a need for patients and their families for  awareness of the disease and the things they need to do because many die of breast cancer not because of the cancer itself but because of depression.

Veronica Angel Subido, nutritionist-dietitian II and health education and promotion officer, designate stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to include having regular exercise, proper stress management and enough sleep in the prevention of breast cancer.

She also said CVMC provides a variety of comprehensive health education and promotion activities not only for the prevention and management of cancer but also for other non-communicable diseases for both internal and external clients to scale up the health literacy of the public. (OTB/GVB/PIA Cagayan)