Center backs forum on prostate cancer

IN celebration of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in June, the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) supported the forum and prostate cancer screening conducted by the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and Cebu Eastern Visayas Chapter of the Philippine Urological Association last June 14 at the VSMMC conference room.

The forum discussed about early detection of prostate cancer and its prevention and treatment.

At least 40 participants from the Philippine National Police and the Cebu City government’s Task Force Cancer, Anti-Mendicancy Group and Market, Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement Division attended the seminar with Dr. Enrique Tenazas, a urologist and president of Philippine Urological Association-Cebu Eastern Visayas and training officer of VSMMC, as the speaker.

Tenazas enumerated the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, including problems in urination. He, however, said that most of the time prostate cancer may not show these symptoms even when cancer cells have spread throughout the body.  But by this time, the patient will already experience bone pain, weight loss, paleness and change in bowel habits.

The risk of developing prostate cancer increases as one grows older and among those with a family history of cancer.

To detect prostate cancer, men should undergo the following procedures: digital rectal examination, prostate specific antigen, ultrasound and biopsy.

Tenazas stressed that early detection of cancer is very important so it can be treated early through surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

A free consultation and digital rectal exam screening followed after the forum.

For more information on prostate cancer and services of EJACC, call Gina Mariquit at 2546351 or 2563287 or visit www.rafi.org.ph.