CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. Former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña shows his medical certificate to local media. (CDN Photo/Tonee Despojo)
FORMER Cebu City Mayor To ma s Osmeña answered his critics who speculate about his health by showing a medical certificate from a leading cancer treatment center in the United States that says he is “essentially cured” of his bladder cancer.
In a press conference at his home in Guadalupe, Osmeña showed reporters the certification issued by Dr. Arlene Siefker-Radtke, associate professor of the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
“You had excellent features at the time of your surgery on April 2009 and had no evidence of recurrence to date. At this point in time, you are five years out and should consider yourself essentially cured of cancer. Congratulations on making this important milestone!” stated Radtke’s certification dated March 10, 2014.
Osmeña and his wife, Councilor Margot Osmeña, were in Texas two weeks ago for a regular medical check up.
He had the same certification published as a full page advertisement in a local daily.
Osmeña, who had his bladder surgically removed, said he is now required to visit MD Anderson only once a year for his check ups.
“I have been practically declared cancer-free for the last five years. Sorry to my detractors who have been wishing me to die,” Osmeña said.
Speculations about the former mayor and congressman’s health rose in the runup to last year’s elections, which Osmeña blamed on the camp of Mayor Michael Rama.