Southeast Asian Countries Come Together Towards a #BetterFuture4BreastCancer

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 Together in Hope, Together in Spirit: The 6th Southeast Asian Breast Cancer Symposium is Happening This September

[From left] Giselle Arroyo, ICanServe Volunteer; Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, Founding President of ICANSERVE Foundation, Inc.; Crisann Celdran, Chairman of the Board; Alya Honasan, breast cancer survivor; Nikoy De Guzman, President of ICANSERVE Foundation, Inc; Teocel Apolona, Project Manager for SEABCS

Medical professionals, healthcare workers, cancer survivors, patient groups, government, researchers from all over the region are convening for the 6th Southeast Asian Breast Cancer Symposium presented by the ICanServe Foundation. This year’s theme is centered on Designing a Better Future for the Global Breast Cancer Community.

Over 50 speakers from different parts of the world including Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, Former President of the Union for International Cancer Control, Dr. Ben Anderson, an internationally recognized leader in cancer control from the World Health Organization, Sec. Paulyn Ubial, former Secretary of the Department of Health, will join moderators and a panel of reactors in a 3-day conference happening on September 23-25. The event will take place on-ground and online, with attendees from all over Southeast Asia.

"It's an opportunity to figure out as a region how best to create and sustain a robust, responsive health system, to project what makes cancer in our region unique, so we are well represented in the global cancer space whether in the creation of global health initiatives, research, clinical trials, advocacy or access to grants. Ultimately, we want all breast cancer patients to have equal access to affordable, quality, timely care," says Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, ICanServe Founding President.

Alya Honasan, breast cancer survivor, revealed the cover of the ICANSERVE Patient Manual yesterday at the media roundtable for the 6th Southeast Asian Breast Cancer Symposium (SEABCS). The Patient Manual will be launched officially on the last day of SEABCS happening on September 23-25. It will be downloadable for free at the ICANSERVE website. Looking on is ICANSERVE president Nikoy de Guzman.

The ICanServe Foundation is proud to have been invited by the Global Focus on Cancer to be this year’s host and thankful for the support of its partners like the UICC, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), ABC Global Alliance, Reach to Recovery International, Philippine College of Surgeons, Philippine Society of Breast Surgeons, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, Philippine Society of Oncologists, Inc, the Cancer Coalition Philippines, Suandok Breast Cancer Network, Yayasan Kanker Payudara Indonesia, and Shwe Yaung Hnin Si Cancer Foundation.

"As host, ICanServe designed the event and the program with the help of partners," Magsanoc-Alikpala says. "We struck a balance so we would appeal to different stakeholders, including those in the NGO space, not necessarily cancer focused. We have design thinking, social media, organizational management, even artificial intelligence-related topics. For the health professionals, we will introduce mostly new studies and breakthroughs . There are topics for cancer survivors at any point in their journey."

Everyone is welcome to join. Registration is free at https://seabcsphilippines.ph/

SEABCS is made possible by Pfizer, Roche, AIA, Novartis, De Guzman Group, Nutriasia, Unilab, Healthway  Cancer Care Hospital, In the Pink and Globe.

 

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ABOUT SEABCS

The Southeast Asian Breast Cancer Symposium (SEABCS) is a gathering of the region’s cancer survivors, patient advocates, health professionals, researchers, and policy makers in an event to exchange ideas, share successful strategies, the latest in breast cancer, as well as the many challenges that face the breast cancer community on a personal, local and, national, regional and international level.

ABOUT ICANSERVE                                                                                                                                The ICanServe Foundation is a Philippine-based advocacy group of breast cancer survivors and volunteers that co-creates breast cancer control programs with local government as part of its initiative to promote early breast cancer detection, access to accurate diagnosis and timely treatment, survivorship care, palliative care, hospice care and patient navigation.

Early detection and Post-treatment depression: WHAT FILIPINAS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER

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Here's to share Alya’s breast cancer journey and advocacy from her early detection to her post-treatment depression, and how ICanServe Foundation and Pfizer hope to address the disease.

With almost 25,000 new cases this year, breast cancer ranks first in cancer incidence among all other cancers here in the Philippines. In fact, one in every 13 Filipinas is expected to develop the disease in her lifetime.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a worldwide campaign held annually to raise awareness on the disease. With the World Health Organization reporting that early detection remains the best protection as the causes of breast cancer are still unknown, this awareness month is crucial to increase understanding of the disease in the Philippines.

Early detection

In the Philippines, breast cancer screening is often seen as a burden and there is a false belief that breast cancer is a sure killer, even if caught in the early stages. The ICanServe Foundation, a breast cancer advocacy group in the Philippines, promotes early breast cancer detection, which encompasses education about breast cancer, breast self-exam (BSE), clinical exam, and mammography. Citing the American Cancer Society, ICanServe suggests women should perform a monthly BSE by the age of 20, schedule an annual clinical exam upon turning 30, and have theirannual mammography by the time they hit 40.

Alya Honasan, ICanServe member and veteran writer and editor, was diagnosed at 49: “I was lucky because it was detected early,” she shared. Having always had regular checks, Alya stopped in 2011, and when she found time again in 2013, her doctor discovered a lump that didn’t look benign.

Due to her early detection, and after having multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Alyasuccessfully completed treatment in 2014. In a recent interview, she referenced both post-treatment depression and support groups as important topics of treatment that are not often discussed.

Post-treatment depression

“Of course, it’s normal to be depressed while you have it, but in my case, I was depressed after,” Alya revealed. In a study, it was found that up to 50% of women diagnosed with early breast cancer had depression and/or anxiety in the year after diagnosis; 25% in the second, third, and fourth years; and 15% in the fifth year. This may be attributed to factors such as adjusting to life after treatment and having worries about breast cancer recurring.

A number of treatments for depression are available,7, and Alya found comfort in seeking professional help and therapy: “It also helps that my psychiatrist is a cancer survivor, so we speak the same language.”

Breast cancer buddies

Aside from seeking professional help, having a support group around you is essential during and after treatment — moms, daughters, and spouses are great point persons. Alya had fellow Bicol native and ex-Marine Ernesto Lozada, aka Kuya Kulot, who was assigned to her by her older brother and who drove her to and from chemo and work just like a true kuya or big brother. “If I’m not done with work by 9 PM, bubusina na nang bubusina yan sa labas (he would honk the horn repeatedly until I came out of the building). He was quite the disciplinarian but was also malambing (affectionate), always there to reassure me that I am loved,” Alya recalled.

Alya with her breast cancer buddies retired Marine Sergeant Ernesto Lozada or Kuya Kulot, and her eldest dog or panganay Kikay

Alya with her breast cancer buddies: retired Marine Sergeant Ernesto Lozada or Kuya Kulot, and her eldest dog or panganay Kikay

Aside from friends such as Kuya Kulot, workmates, and family, Alya also had a spiritual group and ICanServeFoundation to lean on. ICanServe’s flagship project, Ating Dibdibin (Take Your Breast Care to Heart), is the Philippines’ first community-based breast cancer screening program, launched in 2009 under the auspices of the American Cancer Society and with a grant from Pfizer. 

Pfizer’s heritage and innovation in breast cancer

Pfizer’s legacy in breast cancer spans nearly two decades, being a leader in awareness campaigns, advocacy partnerships, and pioneering treatments. Among its latest breakthroughs in research and development is a therapytargeted for specific mutations in breast cancer, which is a significant advancement in first-line treatment of breast cancer in 10 years. 

“We believe that more than the breakthrough therapies that Pfizer develops, our success is also measured by how we are helping redefine life with cancer,” Dr. Veronica Prasad, Medical Manager for Pfizer Oncology in the Philippines, shared. “We want the breast cancer community to know that they are not alone in their journey, and that Pfizer goes beyond treatments to help them live their best lives despite the disease.”

#GrabItBeatIt: GrabCar’s awareness campaign for early breast cancer detection

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In support of breast cancer awareness month, GrabCar has launched the #GrabItBeatIt campaign across Southeast Asia this October to encourage women to conduct self-examination and stress the importance of early detection. 

“We believe that early detection is the best protection against breast cancer as studies show that those detected early have high cure rates. Through this campaign, we want to extend the conversation to how women can stay healthy and fit, and encourage Filipino women to self-check before it’s too late,” said GrabCar Head, Natasha Bautista. 

According to a 2012 study, the Philippines has the second highest incidence of breast cancer in Southeast Asia. Department of Health (DOH) recommends women as young as 20 years old to familiarize themselves with their breasts and conduct monthly self-examination as everyone is at risk with the terminal but curable disease. 

In line with GrabCar’s advocacy to spread awareness about breast cancer, it now offers Breast Cancer Awareness kits which includes a statement shirt by Malaysian clothing company Pestle and Mortar, a tote bag and pamphlet on how to conduct self-examination. 

All proceeds go to the ICanServe Foundation which helps women with breast cancer and also promotes early breast cancer detection through information campaigns and community-based screening programs. 

“In our own way, we want to let more people know that early detection of breast cancer saves thousands of lives,” said Natasha Bautista.

The #GrabItBeatIt campaign runs in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam as part of the GrabCar’s advocacy on women’s health and safety. 

For more information and for order inquiries, message GrabCar PH via Viber (0905487039 or 09054874027) or check out http://grabtaxi.com/manila-philippines/2015/10/02/grabitbeatit/.