SOME of the challenges facing cancer patients are the many myths and misconceptions.
“Some stopped living before they die. It’s not an excuse not to live. So, live before you die,” said Dr. Buenaventura Ramos Jr., an oncologist and a spirit practitioner of cancer support group Mind and Body.
Ramos conducted a lecture in front of 52 survivors and patients of breast cancer, thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer and cervical cancer at the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi). It was called “Knowing your fear and other difficult emotions.”
Ramos said that in the emotion of fear, patients often say it’s not death itself they fear but the process of dying and the possibility of suffering specific outcomes like pain, breathlessness and dependency.
Ramos said his sister died of cancer several years ago.
“The most difficult (thing) was not the issue of dying, but the pain and thought of who will take care of the children,” Ramos said.
Advices
He advised patients to recognize and accept their fears.
“Hold it in your awareness. Take a step back so you can see it as an element of your experience rather than your reality,” Ramos said.
He also advised patients not to stop taking medication even when they find out a fellow cancer patient has died.
“Remember, you are not your neighbor. You must correct the misconception,” Ramos said.
Ronald Delos Reyes, program director of Eduardo Aboitiz Cancer Center, said the key to survival of breast cancer is early detection and treatment.
Delos Reyes said Cebu has doctors and facilities that can treat cancer, but the illness cannot be detected if women don’t undergo screening and physical examination.
“They key for us to be successful in fighting against breast cancer are monthly breast exams, annual clinical breast exams, which can be conducted by barangay health centers or rural health unit, and that is free,” Delos Reyes said.
Delos said the only time women need to come to the city is for the mammogram (breast ultrasound) because the equipment is found in only hospitals or medical clinics in Cebu City.
Free services
A mammogram, he said, costs between P1,800 and P2,800.
Delos Reyes said there are 2,300 cancer patients on average every year in Cebu, with 180 deaths.
He said Rafi provides screening and diagnostic assistance.
If a person is diagnosed with breast cancer and she can’t afford treatment, Delos Reyes said the foundation will pay for the surgery, provided the cancer is detected early.
He said the patient needs to submit a barangay certificate of residency, medical abstract, social case study report and request for assistance.