Doctors from this province shared their knowledge on the prevention and early screening of breast cancer to village health workers amid a recent surge in cases.

The Mindoro Breast Cancer Support Group gathered at the Calapan Convention Center on Friday with barangay health workers (BHW) from all 62 villages of the province.

The topics included consultation, early detection, and operative procedures for breast cancer; preventive and curative care for cancer; primer on breast cancer in Oriental Mindoro; and the role of barangay health workers in mitigating cancer.

“Oftentimes, people in the community would rather seek the help of community health workers and traditional healers over medical doctors,” surgeon Dr. Michael Dennis dela Paz said.

He cited worries about having to pay exorbitant fees as one of the top reasons, as well as the lack of awareness regarding preventive and curative services for cancer.

He said their group focuses on educational campaigns for prevention and early screening, which he mentioned has been making a dent, since he has noticed that more and more patients are now going for tests with benign or at least Stage 1 or Stage 2 test results, decreasing the chances of deaths.

In the Mimaropa Region, the Philippine Statistics Authority recorded 190 deaths in 2020 and 225 in 2021 due to malignant neoplasm of the breast.

On a global scale, the Philippines also had the highest prevalence of breast cancer among 197 countries in 2017, according to the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society.

Dela Paz said the Mindoro Breast Cancer Support Group was formed in 2023 in response to the rising cases of breast cancer in Oriental Mindoro.

Friday’s event was held in support of the National #BustOutCancer campaign of the Department of Health, and the Philippine Commission on Women’s National Women’s Month celebration.

Oncologist Dr. Abigail Aylette Barrientos gave the participants a holistic view of what cancer patients face in their healing journey, and the types of support they need, such as psycho-social and mental health interventions.

The BHWs committed to share what they have learned and do the manual self-breast exam. (PNA)