A Cebu-based cancer center urged the public to undergo early screening to fight colorectal cancer.

The Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) also advised the people to observe a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and maintenance of a well-balanced diet.

EJACC urged the public to take this counsel seriously as the country celebrates Colorectal Awareness Month in March.

Colorectal cancer, a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum become abnormal and divide without control, forming a mass called a tumor, is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Cebuanos, based on the Cancer Registry of EJACC.

The Metro Cebu Population-based Cancer Registry of EJACC recorded 653 cases in 1998-2002 and 364 reported who have died of it. In the year 2002-2007 the Cancer Registry recorded an increased number of reported cases in Metro Cebu—862 cases were reported and 489 cases died of the disease.

Individuals age 40 and above, who have a sedentary lifestyle, who are eating high fat and low fiber diet, who have family and medical history of the disease, and who have polyps and ulcerative colitis, face high risk of acquiring colorectal cancer.

“The most important thing to know about colorectal cancer is that it often exists without any symptoms. This is why regular screening is very important. Regular screening can detect polyps at an early state before cancer develops or when it is most curable,” Ronald delos Reyes, EJACC program coordinator, said.

He also pointed out that the colon and rectum, which comprise the large intestine, are vital in turning liquid stool into formed fecal matter.

Colorectal cancer is characterized by a change in bowel movements, blood in the stools, abdominal discomforts, unexplained appetite and weight loss, fatigue, and pelvic pain in the later stage.

Diagnostic procedures in detecting colorectal cancer include fecal occult blood test, rectosigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, irigography, virtual colonoscopy, fecal DNA test, and double contrast barium enema. The disease may be treated through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

“The disease could be prevented by being health conscious and submitting to regular screenings,” Delos Reyes said.

For more information about colorectal cancer, please contact EJACC at 254-6351 and look for Gina Mariquit.

In observance of Breast Awareness Month in October, the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) will hold the 8th annual “Moonwalk: A Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness” on Oct. 12.

Moonwalk is open to the public. Participants are encouraged to wear pink shirts.

Moonwalk, a unique advocacy campaign of RAFI held every full moon of October, aims to promote the importance of observing monthly breast self-examination for women aged 20 and beyond.

It is also a campaign of RAFI to get more people to be aware on the importance of early cancer detection and prevention. At the same time, it is a tribute to the victims and survivors of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Cebuano women, based on the Cebu population-based Cancer Registry of RAFI.

From 1993 to 2007, Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of RAFI recorded a total of 3,005 reported breast cancer cases in Metro Cebu. EJACC found a continuous increase of breast cancer incidence in Metro Cebu over the past 10 years, caused by lifestyle and health-related factors.

The assembly area for this year’s Moonwalk will be at the Cebu Business Park near Pag-Ibig Fund Tower at 4 p.m. Participants will walk to The Walk in Asiatown I.T. Park where they will form a human pink ribbon. A short program and Pink Rock Concert will follow.
“With the growing awareness on breast cancer, we are expecting more participants this year—around 3,000 from 1,500 last year. Most of the participants are cancer patients, women from the barangays, and the youth. We encourage everyone, from all walks of life, to join us in this year’s Moonwalk,” Ronald delos Reyes, EJACC program coordinator, said.

Moonwalk is organized in collaboration with The Walk and in coordination with Ayala Center Cebu and I CAN SERVE. It is supported by the Cebu City Government, Department of Health Region 7, Asiatown I.T. Park, Cebu Business Park, Allied Banking Corporation, Phillipine National Bank, Cebu Praedia Development Corporation, Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente, and Destiny Medical Fund, Inc.
Moonwalk is an initiative under the Integrated Development focus area of RAFI, addressing health issues of communities in order to create a better quality of life.

For more details about the Moonwalk, or to register, please call 254-6351 or 256-3287 and look for Gina Mariquit.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:

HAIDEE EMMIE K. PALAPAR
Communications Officer
Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
tel. no. (63 32) 418-7234 local 504
email: Haidee.Emmie.Palapar@rafi.org.ph

RONALD M. DELOS REYES
Program Coordinator
Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center
Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
Tel. no. 254-6351 / 256-3287
email: ronald.delos.reyes@rafi.org.ph

touching people, shaping the future
INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT | MICRO-FINANCE & ENTREPRENEURSHIP | CULTURE & HERITAGE | LEADERSHIP & CITIZENSHIP | EDUCATION

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. 35 Lopez Jaena Street, Cebu City 6000 Philippines
tel: (63 32) 418 7234 fax: (63 32) 418 7234 loc.516 www.rafi.org.ph

CEBU CITY, Cebu—As the whole country commemorates Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) urged the public to engage in early detection and prevention measures to fight breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Cebuano women, based on the Cebu Population-based Cancer Registry of EJACC.

From 1993 to 2007, EJACC recorded a total of 3,005 reported breast cancer cases in Metro Cebu. Breast cancer, which is characterized by an abnormal growth of breast cells, is most common in women ages 30 to 59.

EJACC initiated its own efforts to raise public awareness on the importance of early cancer detection and prevention. One of these is Moonwalk: A Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness, a unique advocacy campaign of RAFI held every full moon of October, which aims to promote the importance of observing monthly breast self-examination for women aged 20 and beyond.

Moonwalk also aims to popularize the importance of early detection practices, including breast self-examination, regular clinical breast examination, and annual mammography screening.

This year, Moonwalk will be held on Oct. 12 when participants from different sectors, including cancer patients and survivors, youths, professionals, and women from the barangays, walk from Cebu Business Park to The Walk at Asiatown I.T. Park.

“It is important to detect breast cancer at an early stage as, like many forms of cancer, breast cancer may be more easily cured with early detection,” Ronald delos Reyes, program coordinator for EJACC, said.

The primary risk factors for breast cancer are sex, old age, lack of childbearing or breastfeeding, higher hormone levels (specifically estrogen), dietary iodine deficiency, high fat diets, alcohol intake, tobacco use, obesity, and hereditary factors.

There are steps every person can take to help the body stay as healthy as possible and lower the risk of breast cancer, such as maintaining a healthy weight, breastfeeding for lactating mothers, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and exercising regularly.
EJACC offers annual monthly breast and cervical cancer screenings and provide assistance like mammography screening for high-risk patients to detect malignancies.

EJACC is a program under the Integrated Development focus area of RAFI, addressing health issues of communities in order to create a better quality of life. Its other focus areas are Micro-finance and Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, Leadership and Citizenship, and Education.

For more information about breast cancer, or to register for Moonwalk, please contact (63 32)254-6531 and look for Gina Mariquit.