Early Detection and Depression: What Filipinas Should Know About Breast Cancer

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With almost 25,000 new cases this year, breast cancer ranks first in cancer incidence among all other cancers here in the Philippines. In fact, one in every 13 Filipinas is expected to develop the disease in her lifetime.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a worldwide campaign held annually to raise awareness on the disease. With the World Health Organization reporting that early detection remains the best protection as the causes of breast cancer are still unknown, this awareness month is crucial to increase understanding of the disease in the Philippines.

Early detection

In the Philippines, breast cancer screening is often seen as a burden and there is a false belief that breast cancer is a sure killer, even if caught in the early stages. The ICanServe Foundation, a breast cancer advocacy group in the Philippines, promotes early breast cancer detection, which encompasses education about breast cancer, breast self-exam (BSE), clinical exam, and mammography. Citing the American Cancer Society, ICanServe suggests women should perform a monthly BSE by the age of 20, schedule an annual clinical exam upon turning 30, and have their annual mammography by the time they hit 40.

Alya Honasan, ICanServe member and veteran writer and editor, was diagnosed at 49: “I was lucky because it was detected early,” she shared. Having always had regular checks, Alya stopped in 2011, and when she found time again in 2013, her doctor discovered a lump that didn’t look benign.

Due to her early detection, and after having multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Alya successfully completed treatment in 2014. In a recent interview, she referenced both post-treatment depression and support groups as important topics of treatment that are not often discussed.

Post-treatment depression

“Of course, it’s normal to be depressed while you have it, but in my case, I was depressed after,” Alya revealed. In a study, it was found that up to 50% of women diagnosed with early breast cancer had depression and/or anxiety in the year after diagnosis; 25% in the second, third, and fourth years; and 15% in the fifth year. This may be attributed to factors such as adjusting to life after treatment and having worries about breast cancer recurring.

A number of treatments for depression are available,7, and Alya found comfort in seeking professional help and therapy: “It also helps that my psychiatrist is a cancer survivor, so we speak the same language.”

Breast cancer buddies

Aside from seeking professional help, having a support group around you is essential during and after treatment — moms, daughters, and spouses are great point persons. Alya had fellow Bicol native and ex-Marine Ernesto Lozada, aka Kuya Kulot, who was assigned to her by her older brother and who drove her to and from chemo and work just like a true kuya or big brother. “If I’m not done with work by 9 PM, bubusina na nang bubusina yan sa labas (he would honk the horn repeatedly until I came out of the building). He was quite the disciplinarian but was also malambing (affectionate), always there to reassure me that I am loved,” Alya recalled.





Alya with her breast cancer buddies: retired Marine Sergeant Ernesto Lozada or Kuya Kulot, and her eldest dog or panganay Kikay

Aside from friends such as Kuya Kulot, workmates, and family, Alya also had a spiritual group and ICanServe Foundation to lean on. ICanServe’s flagship project, Ating Dibdibin (Take Your Breast Care to Heart), is the Philippines’ first community-based breast cancer screening program, launched in 2009 under the auspices of the American Cancer Society and with a grant from Pfizer.

Pfizer’s heritage and innovation in breast cancer

Pfizer’s legacy in breast cancer spans nearly two decades, being a leader in awareness campaigns, advocacy partnerships, and pioneering treatments. Among its latest breakthroughs in research and development is a therapy targeted for specific mutations in breast cancer, which is a significant advancement in first-line treatment of breast cancer in 10 years.

“We believe that more than the breakthrough therapies that Pfizer develops, our success is also measured by how we are helping redefine life with cancer,” Dr. Veronica Prasad, Medical Manager for Pfizer Oncology in the Philippines, shared. “We want the breast cancer community to know that they are not alone in their journey, and that Pfizer goes beyond treatments to help them live their best lives despite the disease.”

Father-Daughter Authors Bag Prizes at 68th Palanca Awards

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Father-daughter duo from Iloilo, Leoncio Deriada and Dulce Maria Deriada won in separate categories for regional division at this year’s Palanca Awards. Dulce received her father’s award on his behalf, as he found it difficult to attend the ceremony.

The awarding ceremony of the 68^th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature saw 54 writers bestowed with the highly sought-after prize in the Filipino literary community. Included in the list of winners in this year’s edition is a father-daughter duo from Iloilo who won in separate categories. This is the first time in the history of the Palanca Awards that a father and daughter claimed prizes in the same year.

Palanca Awards Hall of Famer Leoncio Deriadawon third prize in the Short Story-Cebuano category for his work Dili Baya ko Bugoy, while his daughter Dulce Maria Deriada won third prize in the Short Story-Hiligaynon category for Candelaria. Dulce received her father’s award on his behalf, as he found it difficult to attend the ceremony.

“I’m very happy for the recognition but we could’ve been happier if my father were here with me. Before, I used to accompany him as his guest, but now I can say that I’m a winner too,” Dulce said. “It was actually him who told me to join this year.”

Claiming her win was a pleasant surprise, Dulce explained that her entry was both a personal challenge on her Hiligaynon writing skills and a personal encouragement from her father.

“Hiligaynon is a language I have been using my entire life, but I admit that I find writing in it difficult,” said Dulce. “I’m really used to writing in English so it took me weeks to finish the story because I was really grappling with the language. But thanks to the help of my father, I was able to submit it. Before the deadline, I showed him the manuscript. He gave his comments and also helped in cleaning it up.”

Leoncio, who is now 80 years old, is largely recognized as the Father of Contemporary Literature in Western Visayas. A vast majority of writers in the region have gone through his tutelage. Currently, he is a Professor Emeritus at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) where he teaches Comparative Literature. He is a multi-lingual writer, having produced works in English, Filipino, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Cebuano.

Dulce also teaches at UPV in the Division of Humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences. She also serves as the President of Hubon Manunulat, an organization that promotes the advancement of West Visayan literature.

With this year’s award, Leoncio now has 18 Palanca awards under his belt. He was inducted into the Palanca Hall of Fame in 2001. Some of his first prize-winning pieces include the full-length play Maragtas: How Kapinangan Tricked Sumakwel Twice (2001), the one-act play Medea of Syquijor (1999), and the short story for children The Man Who Hated Birds (1993).

Dulce, on the other hand, is among this year’s first-time Palanca winners. Taking a day off from her teaching duties, she explains that her winning piece Candelaria is a story showcasing Ilonggo beliefs and culture while also putting into the spotlight the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro, a limestone statue depicting Mary with the Child Jesus carrying candles. Also known as Our Lady of Candles, it is currently enshrined on the balcony of Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo City and is recognized by the Catholic Church as the patroness of Jaro District and the whole of Western Visayas.

“Those who live in Iloilo know well of the image, and it’s believed to be miraculous. The statue is said to be growing bigger and bigger each year,” explained Dulce.

Despite growing up as the daughter of a literary titan, there was no pressure for Dulce to follow the footsteps of her father. Instead, it just happened naturally.

“I grew up surrounded with books and I got acquainted with other writers at an early age. Growing up, my father didn’t really force me to take up writing, but he was supportive and encouraging whenever I did it. I even remember him storing my writing assignments when I was in Grade 1,” said Dulce.

To aspiring writers who are seeking their first Palanca award, Dulce suggests starting with the basics, which is by reading a lot.

“My father always told me to read and read, and this is what he always tells his students. Because of reading, I became attracted to books at an early age, and this really helped me in putting into words my imagination and improved my vocabulary use. So for those who want to become a successful writer, you have to read,” Dulce said.

Such advice definitely helped Dulce to not only win the country’s most prestigious literary award but get to share it with her father too. This rare recognition accomplished by the Deriadas, which has added to the rich history of the Palanca Awards, shows that while skill in writing can run in the blood, it also needs to be cultivated and nurtured in the right environment to prosper.

Named after businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca Sr., the Palanca Awards continuously seeks to cultivate Philippine Literature by providing incentives for writers and serving as a treasury of these literary gems. It is considered the gold standard in writing excellence, highly-coveted by Filipino writers, young and old alike. For complete list of winners, visit www.palancaawards.com.ph.

SPECTRUM: A Colorful Expression of Contemporary Chairs

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The PUP BS Interior Design Furniture Design Class 2018 will be holding their annual

Furniture Design Exhibit on 30 October - 12 November 2018 entitled:

“SPECTRUM: A Colorful Expression of Contemporary Chairs”

The exhibit aims to showcase eleven (11) prototypes of different gender representations in artistic and ingenious contemporary seating pieces with green and sustainable forms, all but works of students of this year’s Furniture Design class.

#WazzupPilipinas #PambansangBlogger #Spectrum