CEBU – The Department of Health said breast and cervical cancers remain to be the leading causes of death among Filipino women in the recent years.
Emmalyn Fernandez, Healthy Lifestyle Nurse Coordinator, said since last year, there are now more than 18,000 cases of breast cancer and cervical cancer which claim over 6,000 lives nationwide.
She said the other leading causes of deaths among women are colo-rectal, lung, and ovarian cancers. Dr. Jeannette Cortes, head of the Non-Communicable Section, said the main cause of both cancers is hereditary. However, the risks for acquiring these cancers are heightened due to unhealthy lifestyle practices.
For breast cancer, Cortes said smoking increases the risk for acquiring the disease, followed by obesity. She said the symptoms of breasts cancer include dimpling of a portion of the breasts, bloody discharge, sudden weight loss, and tiredness.
She also advised women to learn how to do the self-examination of their breasts a week after menstruation, but emphasized that annual mammogram is advisable for women aged 30 and beyond.
Cortes said for cervical cancer, women who engaged in sex earlier or younger than 17 years old are at a higher risk for cervical cancer.
“High risks are also those with multiple sexual partner and those whose partners also have several partners,” she said, adding, another factor is the prolonged use of continuous oral contraceptives.
“It is advisable to skip for some time the oral contraception, use another method then back again,” Cortes said. “At risk also are those who gave birth early.”
She said the symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal or prolonged vaginal bleeding, odorous discharge, pain during and after sexual intercourse.
“Women are advised to have pap smear and or undergo Human Pappilovirus Vaccine for early detection and protection,” Cortes said. “Other than these, women of all ages are still encouraged to take care of themselves such as eating healthy food and regular exercise,” she added. (Ferliza Contratista)
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