Members and cancer survivors of ICanServe Foundation led by Mary Ann Alcordo Solomon, along with surgical oncologist Dr. Annette Libron do the “pinky swear.” The Pinky Swear is a CSR-health portfolio of GMCAC to help airport stakeholders spread the word on the importance of early detection.
GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) culminated the month of October with a series of activities promoting Breast Cancer Awareness.
Last Oct. 21, airport stakeholders including GMCAC employees, airline stakeholders, ground and handling personnel gathered to culminate the “Pinky Swear” campaign, GMCAC’s initiative to help spread the word about the need for breast cancer examination and the importance of early detection.
For the breast cancer awareness talk, GMCAC partnered with the ICanServe Foundation Inc., led by its Cebu coordinator Mary Ann Alcordo Solomon, a nonprofit organization that advocates early breast cancer detection through breast self-examination.
During the talk, Ronald delos Reyes, program coordinator of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.-Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (RAFI-EJACC), cited a RAFI study showing that at least 117 in Metro Cebu died of breast cancer every year from 2011-2012.
Dr. Annette Libron, a surgical oncologist, also advocated that women in their 20’s and 30’s must undergo a yearly clinical breast examination, while women in their 40’s must undergo an annual mammogram screening.
“I strongly urge all women, including men, that while they are still in their pink of health, they must conduct breast self-examination at least 15-minutes a day and to visit their doctors at the soonest possible time once they suspect that something feels different around their breast area,” said Libron, who made breast cancer awareness her personal advocacy after losing her mother and cousin to breast cancer.
Alcordo-Solomon, a breast cancer survivor, shared that her journey of battling through the disease did take its toll on her family but was grateful that she eventually gained their support and understanding. “Breast cancer is not just a personal battle but a battle shared by everyone in the family, so their understanding and encouragement will matter most,” she said.
Meanwhile, last Oct. 28 and 29, GMCAC held community visits to barangays Basak and Buaya in Lapu-Lapu City, providing free breast-feeding consultations to mothers.