This February 4, we are observing National Cancer Awareness Month and World Cancer Day with the theme “Close the care gap. Everyone deserves access to affordable, quality cancer care”. This campaign aims to educate cancer patients, individuals living with cancer, and cancer survivors with recent and reliable information on cancer prevention and treatment, as well as practical guidance, support, and referral. As of 2021, cancer ranked 3rd in the leading causes of death among Filipinos with heart diseases as the leading cause of death. Despite lower cancer death incidence for the past year, many cases are considered undiagnosed and untreated due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic which reduced access to preventive care, early diagnosis and treatment.
In the newest Cancer Control Program Continuum and Strategic plan of 2021-2030, DOH focused on improving access to health services in the primary care level. Nutrition and lifestyle interventions, smoking cessation and vaccination are considered as one of the primary preventive strategies for the prevention of cancer. Aside from these, it also includes strategies to improve access to early screening, diagnosis, treatment, surveillance & survivorship and end-of-life care and access to right information.
Information campaigns for diet and exercise aim to promote a healthy diet, lifestyle and obesity prevention. According to Dr. Clarito Cairo Jr., Program Manager of Cancer Control Division of the Department of Health during the DOH Press Conference on Feb. 4, 2022: “Marami na pong studies na nagpakita na kapag naging Obese, ay malaki po ang risk factor na makakuha ng mga 12 cancers so kailangan po wag po tayong magdagdag ng timbang at ugaliin pong mag-exercise regularly”. Other factors such as environmental health aims to spread awareness on possible chemical exposures in the community or in the workplace which may contribute to cancer. Vaccines and immunizations are also important for vaccine preventable cancers such as cervical cancer and liver cancer through Hepa B and HPV Vaccination. Substance use campaigns focus on smoking and alcohol drinking cessation because smoking and alcohol have been associated with greater cancer risk. Sexual and Reproductive Health campaigns include safe sex because Hepatitis B virus which contributes to liver cancer is sexually transmitted. Mental Health campaigns include stress management because too much stress may weaken the immune system and the body’s capacity to fight cancer. They also include awareness and therapies for Depression which is prevalent among cancer patients. Lastly, violence and injury prevention which advocates safe spaces for cancer patients who are prone to bullying not only in schools but also in the workplace.
Through the” Konsultayo Primary Care” campaign, individuals can have access to information, preventive services, screening, diagnosis and management through primary care in local health centers and rural health units. Thus, you may visit health centers near you for free regular health monitoring, vaccines and health services as part of our nationwide cancer prevention campaign.
/AET
References:
[1] Cairo, C. (2022). “We haven’t forgotten the Big C” from the DOH Press Conference on National Cancer Awareness Month. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/DOHhealthypilipinas/videos/477987650436217.
