BREAST cancer remains the top cause of cancer mortality cases in Cagayan de Oro City for this year so far similar to last year, the City Health Office (CHO) said.
“In 2021, breast cancer topped the most number of cancer-related deaths with 134 and as of August 2022, breast cancer again topped the list with 74 cases followed by colon cancer with 23 cases, leukemia with 20 cases, and cervical cancer with 10 cases,” said CHO medical officer Dr. Ameerah Sani Racman during Monday’s Covid-19 response press briefing. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In her presentation, Dr. Racman said cancer in all forms was the second leading cause of death in Cagayan de Oro City after myocardial infarction (heart attack) and in 2021 it became the fourth leading cause of death after myocardial infarction, Covid-19 and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
“About 33 females were screened for breast mass in the first quarter and none for males,” she said.
In the second quarter of the year, the CHO screened 15 females for breast mass and logged 18 female patients with suspicious breast mass, or about 15 more than the three female patients logged in their health centers in the first quarter.
“While most of our patients are female, we also encourage the men to undergo breast screening (for their health),” Dr. Racman said.
Like other forms of cancer, Dr. Racman said breast cancer can be either invasive (tending to spread to other parts of the body) or non-invasive.
“But it’s not just females that contract breast cancer. A 2008-2017 study done by the Philippine General Hospital showed that breast cancer is diagnosed among men at a later age and in an advanced stage,” Dr. Racman said.
The same study also showed that the ratio of men contracting breast cancer is one male compared to 384 females, she said.
“Breast cancer is rare among men but this shouldn’t be a cause for complacency, especially among older men aged 60 years old and older,” Dr. Racman said.
Prevention includes exercise to maintain ideal body weight, undergoing mammogram tests, and a healthy diet among others, she said. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)
