Breast Cancer Is the Number One Cancer Worldwide
Breast Cancer is the number one cancer worldwide. In South East Asia, the Philippines is one of the countries with the highest number of breast cancer cases diagnosed each year. It is estimated that one out of 13 Filipino women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
Risk factors that may increase one’s chance of getting the disease include age, gender, personal and/or family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, obesity, race, having no children or giving birth to her first born after the age of 30, increased alcohol intake and smoking. Women who started menstruation before the age of 12 or those who ceased menstruating after the age of 55 are likewise at an increased risk. Use of oral contraceptive pills for five years or longer may also slightly increase one’s chance. This risk may decrease over time once intake of the pills is stopped.
Contrary to what most people think, breast cancer is usually “silent” in the beginning. At the early stages of cancer development, women do not feel anything. As the cancer develops, the following signs and symptoms may be observed: breast lump, skin changes such as redness, ulcerations, edema, dimpling, nipple changes such as nipple discharge, nipple inversion, eczema, axillary lump, mammographic and/or ultrasound abnormalities. It is for this reason that The Medical City Clark Breast Center emphasises on the need for women to be mindful of the screening guidelines for breast cancer. “Breast cancer is so common it could happen to anyone anytime. It usually goes unnoticed until it reaches a certain size and so women should do the screening procedures even if they don’t feel anything”, explains the breast center doctors. Beginning the age of 20, women should start doing the self-breast exam every month. The objective is for each female to be familiar with her own breasts so that any changes may be noted early and brought to her doctor’s attention. Beginning the age of 30, an annual clinical examination is recommended aside from the monthly self-breast examination. Beginning the age of 40, an annual mammogram is added to the screening procedures. A breast surgeon may or may not request for an additional ultrasound based on his or her judgement. Patients with a strong family history of breast cancer may have to start the screening procedures earlier. Patients with such history should seek consult with their breast surgeon so that they can get the proper advice regarding their screening.
The Medical City Clark Breast Center is the first one stop shop breast center manned by trained breast surgeons and breast radiologists in Region III. Patients may now have their screening or diagnostic imaging and seek consult in the same area. It houses state of the art imaging modalities such as ultrasound, fully digital mammogram and MRI. Other services also include ultrasound guided core needle biopsy, ultrasound or mammogram guided needle localization, breast conservation surgery for early breast cancer, sentinel node biopsy, breast reconstruction and comprehensive breast consult. The center also recently purchased a vacuum assisted biopsy system device. Patients with small breast lumps who need to undergo excision may now opt for this minimally invasive procedure. This procedure is done under ultrasound guidance. It lasts approximately 30-45 minutes and there is no obvious scar a month post procedure.
Patients who seek consult at The Medical City Breast Center are assured that management is up to date, multidisciplinary, holistic and individualized. Quality care is delivered with the help of dedicated medical oncologists, breast pathologists, rehabilitation medicine specialists , plastic surgeons and breast nurses. Gone are the days where quality and up to date management can only be attained in the Metropolis. Patients now in Region 3 can receive the same treatment in a center near them.
On October 21, 2016, The Medical City Clark Breast Center had its grand launching at the 2nd floor Waiting Area, The Medical City Clark Compound.
Before the start of the formal launch, interactive activities were enjoyed by the guests that created awareness on breast cancer and the value of preventive health. Dr. Erwin Alcazaren, founding head of the Breast Clinic at The Medical City Ortigas, gave his inspirational message. It was followed by the recognition of guests, members of the Breast Center and the Multi-disciplinary Team for breast cancer care. The highlight of the program was the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach or cancer care management, which is uniquely TMC. A breast cancer survivor at The Medical City, Ms. Micheline Cadhit gave a very inspiring testimonial of her journey, and affirms how the MDT approach worked best in the treatment of her breast cancer. An open forum was held prior to the ribbon cutting to further introduce the quality care the breast center will provide to breast patients in Region 3.
– Dr. Claudine Ordoñez