Volunteer doctors established the charitable Mindoro Breast Cancer Support Group following a lecture and lay forum with the theme "Susu-portahan ka namin laban sa Kanser" at the city health conference hall in Barangay Guinobatan on Sunday, October 28, in Mindoro, Philippines.
The forum was attended by more than 70 participants, mostly women from different villages in the city; about 40 of them sought the free breast clinic and examination with eight volunteer doctors.
Dr. Roel Tolentino, a surgical oncologist, talked via Zoom about how to organize a breast cancer support group that does not only involve the patient or a survivor but also the family.
Among others, he said there are several creative and therapeutic activities that can be undertaken, which can also be for fund-raising, like painting. “You get to share your journey, learn, and draw support from each other,” he said.
The other guest lecturer via Zoom was Dr. Reynaldo Sinamban, who talked about nutrition for cancer prevention and wound healing.
Dr. Michael Dennis dela Paz, a general surgeon, talked about breast cancer status in the Philippines and emphasized that it is the most common type of cancer among women in the country.
He cited places where cancer patients can seek assistance, especially financial assistance from both local and national levels, government and the private sector.
Dr. Mervin Tan, also a general surgeon, talked about the importance of early screening and surgical management options for breast cancer. “Early screening is the best prevention,” he said.
Dr. Abigai Aylette Barrientos talked about the prevention and cure of breast cancer. A multi-disciplinary team that includes the surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, nurse, and psychologist is important in the management of breast cancer, she said.
Convened mostly by doctors, they said the support group is a “dream come true” after many years of conducting activities every October, which is breast cancer awareness month.
Before the forum, Liam de Mesa organized a Pink CrossFit Mindoro at Kalap Park, which is part of the city hall complex, to raise money for the support group.
In previous years since 2016, activities for Breast Cancer Awareness Month consisted of the pink run, Zumba, pink bike, and pink motorcycle ride.
The volunteer doctors said they are alarmed at the rising number of cases of breast cancer in Mindoro, which also affects doctors. They will next reach out to the southern part of the province.-
In the MIMAROPA (Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) region, the Philippine Statistics Authority recorded deaths due to malignant neoplasm of the breast at 190 in 2020 and 225 in 2021. Fifty-four and 70 are from Oriental Mindoro, respectively.
Three of these deaths in the region were men. -Madonna T. Virola
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