After her doctor told her she has breast cancer, Jocelyn Palanca fainted.
When she regained consciousness, her tears flowed down her cheek.
Instead of being bothered by her depressing thoughts, she and her husband immediately prepared all important documents needed to seek for financial aid for her treatment from a number of institutions, nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and government agencies.
Among the NGOs they approached was the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC). The center shouldered the expenses for Palanca’s operation and sixth chemotherapy session and has been supporting her laboratory follow-up checkup for the past three years.
EJACC provides treatment support for patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer and other types of cancer at an early stage.
“So far ang early detection ang pinaka-effective nga pamaagi sa pagpugong o pagsugpo ani nga sakit (So far early detection is the most effective way to prevent or stop breast cancer),” EJACC program coordinator Ronald delos Reyes said.
EJACC usually pays for the surgical treatment, last cycle of chemo treatment and partial radiation treatment procedure of a patient diagnosed with cancer at the early stages from stage 0 to stage 2B.
In the case of Palanca, she was diagnosed with breast cancer at stage 2A when she went to EJACC.
EJACC monitors the survival and healing process of patients and refer them to other institutions that can further support their medication.
Palanca also sought assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) and the provincial government for her bone scan and chemotherapy.
“These financial aids offered by various institutions are of great help to reduce the breast cancer mortality rate, said Delos Reyes.
“But what we really want to see in the near future is, mas daghan jud unta ang mo-survive. And I think we’re worthy gyud to call ourselves survivors because not everyone will make it,” Delos Reyes told the breast cancer patients during the OKtober Forum on breast cancer. “We have a very good reason to celebrate life.”
Currently, 55-year-old breast cancer survivor Palanca celebrates life by doing the things she loves best.
“Kung naa ra kos balay, mananom ko ug mga buwak ug utanon. Unya kun makahuna-huna ko sa akong sakit, mosuroy ko aron makalimot (When I’m at home, I plant flowers and vegetables. When I remember my illness, I stroll so I can forget about it),” she said.
Breast cancer doesn’t choose its victims, but there is a chance it can be prevented by seeking treatment immediately. /UP Cebu MassCom student Ruthy Mae B. Valdez
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
