Detecting breast cancer early

Women should watch out, should know facts about the deadly C. Such facts are: Breast cancer is the leading killer of women ages 35 to 54 worldwide. More than a million women develop breast cancer without knowing it, and almost 500,000 die from it every year. The global incidence of breast cancer has tremendously risen by 256 percent the past 30 years, with Southeast Asia increasing 479 percent.

The above statistics were revealed by Debbie Thomas, president and COO of Evoworld at a forum held in a hotel in Manila the other day.

Women should not despair, however. Early detection of breast cancer can save their lives.

Ms. Thomas spoke of a molecular breast imaging device capable of detecting breast cancer sensitive enough to detect tiny tumors even in patients with dense breasts not normally detected in mammography.

The device was launched at the forum. Harry Dy of S&S Enterprises, sole distributor of the device, bared plans to embark on a breast cancer awareness campaign emphasizing its importance. He said the Philippines has “the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in Asia and registered the highest increase of 589 percent among 187 countries over a 30 year period from 1980 to 2010.” He added that one out of 13 Filipino women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

According to Harry, the breast cancer awareness campaign will be done in cooperation with medical institutions.

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On another health-related front, here are statistics on the state of adolescents’ health. The 2013 Philippine National Demographic and Health survey indicates that at least 25 percent of unmarried young people are sexually active and 10 per cent of adolescent girls aged 15-19 are already mothers or pregnant with their first child. Meanwhile, a 2015 Department of Health report released in February revealed that more than a quarter of the 23,709 confirmed HIV cases in the country are in the 15-24 age group. At this time the Philippines has one of the world’s fastest growing HIV-AIDS epidemic.

A Global Network Meeting on Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) was recently held in Manila under the sponsorship of UNICEF Philippines. Its purpose: to develop UNICEF’s strategic direction with regard to adolescents’ needs and development, with particular focus on those most disadvantaged and marginalized.

The event focused on health and empowerment programs for adolescents, the heart of the meeting. It saw the convergence of specialists and delegates from Nepal, Zambia, Montenegro Kosovo, Romania, Jordan and the Philippines. UNICEF officials from the New York headquarters and East Asia Regional Office were also in attendance. Filipino youth delegates came from Zamboanga, Eastern Samar, and Manila.

“While we have made great progress in saving young children across the globe by improving child survival and development, historically adolescents were not given adequate attention. This is now a critical opportunity to further accelerate progress for our youth. It is an investment in the future, with dividends of creating a generation properly equipped to become responsible citizens,“ UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander said in her opening remarks.

At the opening session, young speakers Aljon Operario and Rey Nicart, both from Borongan, Eastern Samar thanked UNICEF for convening the meeting so they can learn from global experts and advocates for adolescent development and empowerment. “We feel honored to join the policy discussions and convey the issues faced by young people, especially the marginalized youth in areas affected by typhoon Haiyan.”

The young people of Samar, the two said, “need a lot of support in confronting issues such as early pregnancy, sexual abuse, and HIV and AIDs.”

Key discussion points at the Global ADAP meeting dealt with advancing the health and well-being of adolescents, providing them with formal and non-formal learning opportunities, ensuring safety and protection, increased space and opportunities for social and civic engagement for adolescents, and generating evidence for effective programming for adolescents,.

Sywander concluded her remarks by reminding adolescents to remain active in policy dialogue and program activities, and to include their peers across the country to do the same. To the Filipino youth, she said, “It is your generation that will lead this country to the future. You can set new examples as agents of change. UNICEf is with you in every step of the way.” –Domini M. Torrevillas (The Philippine Star)