ONE of the leading causes of death in the Philippines is cancer. Lung cancer is one of over 76 types of cancer. This type is the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality rate in the Philippines.
Despite the strict implementation of Anti-smoking ordinance in Davao City, Davao City Health Office (CHO) recorded a total of 45 cases of lung cancer for the first five months in 2014. On January to October of the same year, the statistics of CHO showed that there were over 23 mortality cases. Posing an increase of one, there were only 44 cases of lung cancer on the previous year.
Nate Rebong, 45 and a resident of Bago Gallera, Davao City, is a lung cancer survivor. He was diagnosed in 2013.
The few signs of having a lung cancer are fatigue, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
“I always had difficulty in breathing,” he said before he discovered he had it. He already has heart problems before he had cancer and was regularly visiting his doctor for medication.
In February 2013 during his work in the office, he experienced severe chest pain and was rushed to the hospital. Blood tests and X-ray exam were taken but even before he saw the results, he knew it was something bad.
An oncologist told him he has a stage two lung cancer with a six-centimeter tumor on his right lung that needs to be operated as soon as possible so that it would not spread further on the lymph nodes and nearby organs on the lungs including the bones.
The major cause of his lung cancer is smoking. He has been a heavy smoker since he was freshman in college.
“Smoking is in my daily routine. I could consume 5 to 10 sticks a day like I need to,” he said.
Rebong would smoke after meal, when he drinks beer or when he is bored.
Cigarettes have a chemical component known as nicotine. This chemical helps release dopamine; the brain’s “happy” cell. However, nicotine is also a chemical in tobacco that causes a rush of adrenaline when inhaled via cigarette. Together with other 7,000 harmful chemicals present in a single stick of cigarette, nicotine is also used in insecticide.
“It did not shock me. I always smoke too much and I know it but I am too stupid,” he said.
His thoracic surgeon said they have to remove the six centimeter tumor through the operation called a wedge. It is a type of surgery in lung cancer in which the doctor will remove the tumor along with its surroundings.
The Rebong family did not have enough savings to do the operation immediately so they had to sell their family car.
“My oncologist presented everything to me in an honest and forthright manner. He offered hope, but it was never any sugarcoated false hope.” he said when his doctor talked about his condition.
Rebong was to receive tomotherapy four times a week for five weeks and chemotherapy for maintenance. For the next months that followed, his life revolved around getting better and doing whatever it took to get through with treatment, emotionally and financially.
It was the hardest time in his life; blood counts were all over the place until his immune system was compromised.
Through subsequent and thorough evaluation, the doctors decided that they can finally remove the tumor.
After the success of his operation, the hospital’s pain management team prescribed medications to help him deal with the side effects and the pain caused by the constant chemotherapy.
“As I went through with my treatment, cancer changed from being a death sentence to being something to survive. True, there were ups and downs, but that is what happens with surviving,” he nostalgically recalled.
Two years have passed after his diagnosis. For Rebong, every day feels like a milestone because he lives life as fully as he can.
Rebong is now doing great in his life and work. He says he lives his life like it was his last day and has sworn never to be irresponsible when it comes to health. (Yssa Cassandra Banas)
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[Yssa is an AB Masscom of Ateneo de Davao University.]