The Marikina City government has intensified its campaign against breast cancer which, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the second most common type of cancer in the world.
Spearheaded by Councilor Susana Magtubo, chair of the city council’s committee on health and sanitation and the City Health Office (CHO), the campaign kicked off with free breast exams for women residents aged 20 to 75.
Those found to have lumps in their breasts will be referred to a government-accredited private laboratory for further tests.
Magtubo said that early detection of cancer was the best way to beat the disease next to prevention. “Our constituents need not be alarmed … The key here is early detection so that medication could be given promptly,” she added.
The program was first launched in Barangay Marikina Heights only recently, according to a statement of the city government.
At the same time, the city health office encouraged male residents to also undergo a regular breast exam as they are also at risk of the disease.
Based on CHO records, 36 Marikeños—four of them men and the rest women—died of breast cancer last year.
The World Health Organization classifies breast cancer as the second most common cancer worldwide with over one million cases yearly.
It may be caused by various factors like age, early menstruation, late menopause, giving birth for the first time at the age of 30 or genes.
For information about the free breast exams, Marikina residents can call the city public information office at 9422359.