Health experts here underscored the importance of early detection in the treatment of breast cancer, which ranks first among the cancer cases afflicting women in the Philippines.

Dr. Elizabeth Domingo, president of the Philippine Society of General Surgeons (PSGS) in Northern Luzon, told the Philippine News Agency on Sunday that most cancers can be prevented if diagnosed at an early stage.

“If you have risk factors for breast cancer like having a history in the family and you are considered as a high risk individual, then you are (a) candidate,” she said.

Domingo enjoined all women to be aware of the symptoms, such as breast mass, breast nodules or discharge, and immediately seek medical consultation.

To date, advances in breast cancer screening allow healthcare professionals to diagnose breast cancer earlier.

Domingo said a cancer assistance fund is now available at state-run Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital in Batac.

She said cancer that is diagnosed at an early stage is more likely to be treated, while many treatments prolong life.

Breast cancer ranks first in terms of new cases in the Philippines, with 27,163 new cases a year and 9,906 deaths for both sexes, according to Philippine Cancer Society data in 2022.

To raise women’s awareness on the importance of early detection of breast cancer and to gather funds for indigents suffering from the disease, the PSGS conducted three-kilometer and five-kilometer runs on Sunday here with more than 200 registered participants.

The Pink Run is held every October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“This is the first Pink Run ever in Laoag City,” Domingo said during the opening program in front of Laoag City Hall.

After finishing the run, breast cancer patient Mylene Aguilar, 45, of Barangay 3 here told the PNA that she was diagnosed in 2023.

“I have cancer on my breast and it has spread to my bones, lungs, and liver but I am not thinking of it. I just focus on the positive side. My will, my mind and my body have been challenged but make no mistake, my heart is strong and the resolve to fight will never be broken,” she said.

Aguilar urged fellow pink warriors to stay positive, think they are not alone in their cancer journey and always remember there is hope for healing.

According to the PSGS, all women are at risk of breast cancer and it has multifactorial causes such as family history, late pregnancy, diet or eating food with more preservatives and saturated fat, and poor physical fitness.

Health experts who joined the fun run also identified ways to reduce the risk of cancer, including not smoking, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, limiting the intake of processed meats, exercising regularly and getting regular medical care. (PNA)