DAVAO CITY (PIA) – The national cancer awareness campaign has once again raised the importance of early detection of cancer and advocating cancer screening for early detection and treatment.

Med Onco Fellow Dr. Peaches Perlita Joanne Yu-Dela Cruz of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) said that cancer still remains one of the top five leading causes of mortality and morbidity among Filipinos.

Dr. Yu-Dela Cruz during the Kapehan sa Dabaw episode on Monday (January 30) said that part of their awareness campaign is to educate the public about the importance of early diagnosis of cancer.

“Once cancer is diagnosed early, there’s a big chance to provide medication to the patients, and the patients will endure lesser difficulties,” she emphasized.

Dr. Aldrich Kyne So, SPMC Level II resident doctor, said that the best way to detect cancer early is through cancer screening, even if without symptoms.

“We must take screening before the illness aggravates, or before the tumor gets big, or the cancer is not treatable anymore,” Dr. So stated.

He said that the common cancers in the country include breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. 

In Davao City, most cancer patients suffer from breast cancer, he added.

The public are advised to visit their barangay health centers, nearest hospital, or SPMC to avail of medical consultation and cancer screening, especially those who are at risk and experiencing possible symptoms of cancer and those who have a family member living with cancer. (PIA-XI/Anton Oblianda)