Breast cancer patients turn ‘warriors’ and ‘victors’
MANILA, Philippines—Dr. Patty Caballero Cabral recalled going through tests for breast cancer yearly since 2013 and getting results that said there was nothing wrong. But during pandemic in 2020, she was unable to undergo mammography and ultrasound because most of her time was spent inside the public hospital caring for patients. The following year in September, she noticed asymmetry in her breast size. “At first, I thought it was just part of menopause,” Cabral said. She had mammography and ultrasound on Dec. 30, 2022. “I knew right away that I have high index of suspicion that I have cancer,” said the 50-year-old. After a year of treatment, she was deeply involved in breast cancer awareness. So as the world celebrated Cancer Awareness Month in October, she was in the program “Ilang—A Sanctuary of Prayer” managed by a priest-friend and aired on dzSB 104.1 Spirit FM. There, she told her story. Also called Doc Patty, Cabral said she had expected to be stricken with cancer because of her family’s history with the disease. “My father died from cancer of liver, lung and colon, my mom and relatives who are also doctors got breast cancer,” she said. “Friends and medical colleagues did not fall short of reminders. But I realized everything happened for a reason, and what is important is the present,” said the mother of three—Ian, a graduate of medicine; Sofia, a graduate of medical technology and going to the college of medicine; and Sofia, a medical student. Breast cancer strikes anyone, but mostly women The Philippines had the highest prevalence of breast cancer among 197 countries in 2017, according to the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the Philippines, with the highest incidence rate of 17.6%, accounting for 15% of all new cancer cases and 8% of all cancer deaths in the country. More than half (53%) of breast cancers in the country is Stage 3 and 4 while only 2% to 3% is Stage 1. Up to one-third of patients with early-stage breast cancer will subsequently develop metastatic cancer, which is the most serious form of the disease and occurs when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain, bones or liver. Advanced breast cancer comprises metastatic breast cancer (stage 4) and locally advanced breast cancer (stage 3). Survival rates for women
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