Three landmarks in Cebu City last night “turned pink” with special lights set up to mark the annual observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
MeAnne Solomon, Cebu coordinator for C-network, said local officials showed their support by lighting up the Capitol building, the Rizal Memorial Library and the Fuente Osmeña circle with pink flood lamps and exterior lights starting Oct. 1.
Pink is the color used by advocates of breast cancer awareness.
Solomon said Cebu City is the only part of the Philippines and Southeast Asia to accent heritage sites this way for the celebration.
The White House in Washingtown D.C. and the Taj Mahal in India will also be bathed in pink light this month.
Solomon, a cancer survivor, said early detection of her illness in 2004 and year-long treatment saved her life.
“After I finished my treatment, I promised myself that I would be an advocate,” Solomon said.
C-net is among the convenors of the local month-long celebration for breast cancer awareness.
Dr. Arnold John Uson, an ongologist, said persons who develop symptoms of breast cancer should immediately seek and follow medical advice.
“Not all people know that they have breast cancer. It should be detected early for better chance of treatment,” Uson said at breast cancer summit in the Cebu City Sports club yesterday.
Among the symptoms of breast cancer are lumps in the breast and under the arm, wounds in the breasts that won’t heal, bone pains, cough and shortness of breath.
Uson said breast cancer is one of the most treatable diseases.
He said they are seeking to educate communities especially in far-flung areas where residents are less aware and thus still vulnerable to misinformation.
Uson said rural folks would consider medical treatment as the last resort to breast cancer.
He said they often seek treatment from quack doctors and take herbal medicines without a doctor’s prescription.
Uson said Cebu City has proper facilities and specialists to address the needs of cancer patients.
Uson, who also works for the Cebu Cancer Institute in the Perpetual Succor Hospital, said all treatments and diagnostic tests for breast cancer are available in Cebu.
“We have competent doctors and specialists here,” he said.