A TOTAL of 132 educators participated in a breast cancer awareness forum anchored on the National Women’s Month theme, “We Make Change Work for Women.”
Organized by the City Savings Bank as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 7 and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.–Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (RAFI-EJACC), this Project Pink was held last March 22 and 23 at the Plenary Hall, Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC), Cebu City.
The participants came from the city divisions of Cebu, Naga, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Danao.
“There is nothing permanent in this world except change. Evident to that, women, in general, go through a lot of changes before we reach the peak of our womanhood. Nevertheless, the difference on how each woman goes through this journey doesn’t spare us from the risk of breast cancer,” said CitySavings Reputation Management Head Paula Ruelan in her opening remarks.
With about 10,000 new cases diagnosed every year, this disease has been considered as the most common form of cancer among Filipinos.
Proactive, early detection
RAFI–EJACC program coordinator Ronald de los Reyes said that that only three out 10 cancer patients in Metro Cebu may survive from this disease in a five-year period.
He, however, pointed out the importance of being proactive in the awareness and early detection of breast cancer since eight out of 10 women with an early diagnosis of breast cancer have a higher chance of survival compared to those diagnosed on the later stage.
Meanwhile, breast surgeon and breast cancer awareness advocate Dr. Frances Marion de la Serna shared that 80 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer had no identified risk factor before their diagnosis.
Early detection reduces the chances of death.
She said that 17 to 43 percent of women diagnosed with cancer had negative breast examination hence proper screening and examination should be done to ensure that one is not at risk.
Nora Moreno, a cancer survivor and recipient of RAFI-EJACC’s medical assistance, shared her battle of the cancer and the changes this brought in her life.
The participating educators thanked CitySavings for organizing the event.