In 2022, cancer led to 113, 369 deaths in the Philippines.
A total of 188,976 new cases emerged. Of these, the top three cancers centered on the breast, lungs, and colorectum.
The numbers are grim. Treatment cost is staggering.
An Inquirer.Net article states that in 2023, patients and their loved ones forked out from PHP120,000 to more than PHP1,000,000 to treat the disease.
Chemotherapies cost anywhere from PHP20,000 to more than PHP120,000 per session.
This is why oncosurgeon and minimally invasive oncology expert Dr. Mu Feng emphasizes early detection and screening.
In the early stage, the patient can undergo physical tests, among which are endoscopy, ultrasound, stool examination, and mammogram, to hold cancer in check before it gets too advanced and untreatable.
Survival rates are a lot higher, and treatment costs are avoided.
Prevention is the best treatment is as true as ever.
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CANCER SYMPTOMS
At the Pandesal Forum of Wilson Lee Flores held on November 16, 2024, at Kamuning Bakery Cafe, Dr. Mu Feng talks about early detection of cancer and prevention tips.
He says lifestyle changes are the most important preventive keys to cancer.
But sometimes, despite living healthy, cancer can still attack the body.
This is especially true for older people, who are more prone to the dreaded disease because of a weaker immune system.
The body’s healing system can no longer kill naturally occurring cancer cells within.
Sadly, Dr. Mu Feng reports that as much as 95 per cent of cancer patients show no symptoms in the early stage of the disease.
But there are telltale signs, among them weight loss, bleeding, pain, and jaundice.
The cancer expert advises a visit to an experienced oncologist when these symptoms start to appear.
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CANCER TREATMENTS
And when cancer is detected?
Dr. Mung Fe says treatment should involve not just one, but a combination different techniques.
Cancer vaccines, he stresses, are not enough.
Chemotherapy, on the other hand, he adds, can develop a resistance to the cancer-fighting drugs. And radiation has side effects on normal tissues.
Besides surgery and chemotherapy, he suggests minimally invasive procedures, such as Intelligent Precise Radiology, a "highly targeted radiotherapy for tumors and it covers more lesions."
It has less side effects, is less radiation time, and has a high cure rate.
Minimally invasive procedures:
- Microsohere Local Chemotherapy - which has three procedures to enhance the treatment results: (1) Interventional Local Infusion, which is a form of targeted drug delivery (2) Transaterial Embolization, which blocks the blood supply to a tumor or an abnormal part of the tissue (3) Microsphere Embolization, which releases anti-cancer and medicine continuously
- Cryoablation - whichto freezes cancer lesions using cryosurgical equipment, which was approved by the USA FDA in 1998.
- Iodine Seeds Implantation (Brachytherapy) - Internal Radiotherapy with high dosage but less side effects. A one-time procedure, this CT-and-Ultrasound-guided Iodine Seed Implantation was approved by US FDA in 2005.
- HIfu Ablation -High Intensity Focused Ultrasound - is best for liver cancer, renal cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, breast fibroma, pelvic cancer, osteosarcoma, retroperitoneal sarcoma, uterus myoma, uterine adenomyosis.
- PDT LASER (Photodynamic Therapy Laser ) - uses a drug that is activated by light, called a photosensitizer or photosensitizing agent, to kill cancer cells
These minimally invasive procedures are not available in the Philippines, but they’re available in China, which has over 100 cancer centers.
The upside, according to Dr. Mu Feng, is that cancer treatment is more affordable in China than in Singapore and the United States.
At the Jinshazhou Hospital in Guangzhou, where Dr. Meng Fu is connected, cancer screening of the whole body costs around USD600 (PHP35,195.20).
“The family need not stay with other people. They can rent a room within the hospital itself,” he reveals.
Still, the best road to take is one that leads to good health.
Take care of yourself. Listen to your body.
If you do, it will give reward you with decades of joy and memories with the people who matter most to you.
Dr. Feng has a consulation office at the 5th floor of Adriatico Square, corner Malvor st. Malate, Manila.
E-mail kharspineda0207@gmail.com or send a message to +639186046850 and +639052071333 for inquiries.