Colorectal Cancer, also known as Colon Cancer, ranks third among all types of cancer that cause mortality (death) in the Philippines, according to the Philippine Society of Gastroenterologist (PSG).
With this, the City Government of San Fernando, through its City Health Office, and in partnership with PSG, hosted a forum, dubbed as “Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Control Program” on September 25, 2018, at the Heroes Hall.
Attended by City Public Health Nurses, Community Health Nurses and Midwives, Barangay Health Workers, and Fernandinos whose family members have recorded cases of the said cancer, the forum aimed to educate on how to “prevent, treat, and beat Colon Cancer.”
“Ang colorectal o colon cancer ay ang pagtubo ng polyps o bukol sa malaking bituka o sa tumbong ng isang tao, o yung tinatawag na colon at rectum, na pinagmulan ng katagang ‘colorectal,’ said Dr. Marylaine Dujungco of PSG, who also served as the forum’s resource speaker.
According to Dujungco, colon cancer symptoms include those under “diet and lifestyle factors” and “uncontrolled risk factors.”
“Kasama sa mga sintomas ng kanser na ito ay ang pagbawas ng timbang, pagkahapo, pagdumi ng dugo, pagbabago sa gawi ng pagdumi, at pananakit ng tiyan. Bukod sa mga iyan, hindi rin maiiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng ganitong kanser kung may lahi sa pamilya,” added Dujungco.
She also imparted that the consumption of alcohol, cigarette smoking, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity are the top causes of the colon cancer.
Aside from avoiding these activities, she encouraged the participants to consume more vegetables and fruits, fresh meats instead of processed meats and canned goods, have a regular exercise, and maintain a balanced and healthy weight.
“Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na gawin ang lahat ng tips at magpa-screen upang mahanap at maalis ang mga pre-cancerous polyps (bukol) bago ito maging cancer. Habang maaga pa, mas madaling gamutin ang mga ito,” ended Dujungco.
Meanwhile, the City Health Office encouraged all Fernandinos to go visit their office and all Rural Health Units (RHUs) in the city for the distribution of testing kits, which may help determine the conditions of their colons and rectums.