"AT THE risk of antagonizing doctors in Manila, I would say, when you're first diagnosed, come straight to Fuda." This was what Kathleen David, a breast cancer survivor, told Karen Davila when she talked about her experience at Fuda Hospital in Guangzhou, China.

What is Fuda? "It is a modern and specialized cancer center that is recognized for its minimally invasive therapies, and innovative treatments that provide a strong alternative to the routine treatment of chemo/radiation/surgery." Let me emphasize again -- "a strong alternative", meaning, if you wish to seek other treatments beside chemo, radiation, and surgery, there are other ways to treat cancer, and Fuda can offer them to you.

In a country known for selling fake merchandise and inferior food products, can you imagine the same country having a high tech cancer hospital? Are you willing to take the risk of bringing loved ones to China and having unknown Chinese doctors do procedures on them? Scary, is it not? I bet your first impression is leaning towards the negative. Your thoughts: No way! Fake! Poor quality! Quack doctors! Expired medicines!

I am writing this article to prove otherwise. My family has been to Fuda. The result, so far... a success. Some have gone to Singapore for treatments. Some have gone to Stanford in the US. Another place to consider visiting is Fuda.

Fuda offers several therapies in treating cancer which are not available in many hospitals around the world, especially the Philippines. Most of our Filipino doctors only know of chemo therapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Some also use alternative medicine. However, in Fuda, they offer other treatments such as-Cryosurgery, Immunotherapy, Nano Micro-vessel Intervention, Brachytherapy, Photodynamic Therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Vascular Intervention.

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that you should abandon or ignore our local doctors. They are good doctors and they are excellent in their field of expertise. But when all else fails, or when you want a second opinion, I am telling you that there is another option.

We all know that there are different kinds of cancers, and there are different stages as well. In Fuda, the treatment they will use will depend on the factors surrounding the cancer. To one, brachytherapy may be recommended. To another, it may be cryosurgery. They usually do a combination of treatments to ensure the best results for the patient. And this means--the patient needs to go back to Fuda hospital several times. It is not just a one-time visit.

We know that Chemotherapy uses medicine to destroy cancer cells in the body, and in the process, it also kills the good cells. It is usually placed in an iv (Intravenous-which means "within the vein"). Chemo is given in cycles, and a patient will undergo several cycles, (every 3 weeks average). The patient becomes very weak over time because it takes its toll on the whole body. The quality of life is not good, and there is a lot of pain.

So, how is Cryosurgery done? They insert cryoprobes, or ice needles, that are directed to the tumor. These cryoprobes "form ice balls inside a tumor and grow larger and larger until they envelope and kill the cancer cells." They destroy the tumors by freezing and thawing them. And you know what's interesting to know -- the patient is sometimes awake during the procedure.

Advantages -- it is more effective in killing the tumor mass, there is less pain, and the recovery time of the patient is quicker. FYI, they have performed more than 5,000 operations.

After Cryosurgery, they do Brachytherapy. They implant iodine seeds around the tumor mass to kill the remaining tiny cancer cells that were not removed by cryosurgery. The implantation takes only an hour or less using Ultrasound imaging for better accuracy.

And what about Immunotherapy? This one will help boost the immune system of the body. It helps in preventing metastasis and recurrence -- "pagbabalik ng cancer" -- slowing the growth of cancer, and improves the general health of the patient. How is it done? They get blood from the patient's body, and then they culture it in the lab for a few days, adding anti-cancer medicines to it. The blood turns white for some reason. And then, it is returned to the body with the use of iv. It is given every day for several days. Aside from that, they also suggest that you take the Traditional Chinese Medicines which further boosts the body's immune system. FYI, healthy people can be given immunotherapy.

I was told that once you have cancer, it is there to stay. It may "sleep" for awhile, but it will wake up again. Fuda does not promise to completely remove the cancer. Fuda, with its innovative treatments, will help "manage" the cancer, and most likely give the patient a chance at longer life with better quality, as compared to a life of chemo treatments.

If you are interested in learning more about Fuda Hospital, there is going to be a seminar to be facilitated by Mr. Nestor Bonifacio. Mr. Bonifacio is a cancer survivor and he has been interviewed by TV personalities such as Karen Davila and Korina Sanchez. Prof. Kecheng Xu, M.D., the Chief President of Fuda Cancer Hospital is going to be the guest speaker. The seminar is on August 28, 2010 at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. They will also give a free consultation to patients who wish to come to Fuda.

You can also visit their website: http://www.orienttumor.com. It is in Chinese, but they have an English version. Everything you need to know is there, including how to apply for a visa.

There is a special website that I recommend you check out. http://www.pvf.org.ph/. Here, you can find the answers to your questions not found in the Fuda website. Also found here are testimonials from the cancer survivors, media files: videos, and other information that you might want to know.

This website was created by Filipinos who have received successful treatments at Fuda. They are volunteers. They are not paid, nor are they receiving free treatments or special discounts for putting up this website. I am not paid to write this article. My family does not have a discount for my father's cancer treatments at Fuda...(although I wish we had. Hehe.) I am writing this, with my father's blessing, so that my family and I, Mr. Nestor Bonifacio, along with the other Filipino volunteers, will be able to share what we know about Fuda, and give hope to those with cancer.

Other details and tips I wish to share:

Doctors. Here in the Philippines, sometimes you wait all day for your doctor to arrive. At Fuda, there is a doctor's office (an aquarium) in the middle of each floor. Doctors are available all throughout the day. Every morning, the doctors, sometimes a dozen of them, visit you at around 9 a.m. The senior doctors do not speak English well, but the younger ones can and they translate for you what the senior doctors say.

How much? Can't say. But just so you know, a pet/ct scan in St. Lukes at Global costs roughly P120,000, probably more. In Guangzhou, it is roughly P70,000. Provenge, the first immunotherapy for prostate cancer to win FDA approval in the US costs $93,000 (more than 4 million pesos) per patient. In Fuda, Immunotherapy is P 340,000.

Food. You get a food card and buy credits at the lobby. Use the card for the restaurant inside the hospital and the one across the street. There are lots of small eateries and street food in the area. Food is cheap, especially my favorite--roasted duck. There is a free shuttle that will take you to the supermarket. There is a kitchen area on each floor where you can microwave, cook rice, or cook dishes using a crock pot. No frying. Do not bring plenty of clothes for the patient. He will be wearing a pajama. Instead, load the patient's suitcase with food from home.

The hospital rooms are affordable, different types including an airconditioned 6-bed ward are available. There is free wifi. Sorry, no Facebook and other social networks-banned in China! YM and Skype work. There is cable TV including ABS-CBN. They have a small gym on the top floor plus a garden and a fish pond.
Check the weather. Sometimes it is very cold and it rains. Bring appropriate clothing.

Care for patient. If the patient is very weak, maybe you would like to consider bringing along a caregiver. Please request for a wheelchair at the check-in counter of Cebu Pacific. And upon arrival at Guangzhou, have no fear. Segs, a Filipino rep of Fuda will fetch you at the airport.

Last note. Many people are suffering from cancer. Many people have died because of cancer. Many people had chemo treatments until they died. I have met a few people in the past who have died, and I know that had they learned of Fuda, they would have had a better chance at fighting cancer. I want to help by sharing what I know. There is another option. There is hope. There is Fuda.