My mother passed away from ovarian cancer in 1996. My elder sister is a breast cancer survivor. And just two years ago, I underwent a Brachytherapy procedure for my Stage 1 prostate cancer. So you can say that the Big C and I have had this on-off relationship for some decades now; and that I speak with some experience on the physical and mental impact cancer creates with those who fall afflicted, and with the family and friends that surround these individuals.

And that’s why I happy to hear about, and support, the upcoming ‘Bridging Gaps in Cancer Care through the 3C’s of Communication, Complementation, and Collaboration’. To be held on February 23 and 24 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, the summit is led by the Philippine College of Surgeons Cancer Commission Foundation, which carries the vision of promoting quality cancer care across all regions and sectors in the Philippines - unfortunately, something easier said than done. 

Cancer is the third leading cause of deaths in our country today, with 254 recorded deaths daily, and up to more than 150,000 new cases every year. Breast, Lung and Colorectal cancers are the top 3 in incidence, and Lung ranks number one in terms of mortality. So, it’s evident that Summits of this sort, and harnessing the small C’s of communication, complementation and collaboration to fight the Big C is really an urgent matter. Too many incidences of cancer cases and that of resulting deaths shout out the need to share more knowledge, to bring effective synergies into place and actuality, and to bond together to help make cancer more curable. 

There’s a lot of literature about taking a Multidisciplinary team approach and there’s a clamor to monitor cancer surgical treatment outcomes. The effective implementation of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) will be instrumental in achieving this; and this Summit can help identify what can be done to hasten this implementation process. 

The Summit will be a hybrid mix of face to face and online, with plenary talks and breakout sessions, plus workshops. There’ll be a keynote address from HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan. The speakers over the two days will highlight the diversity of this multidisciplinary approach in addressing cancer treatment, and why it’s now being recommended globally. 

Whether you’re an oncologist, a regular doctor, a nurse or caregiver, a cancer victim, survivor, or just know someone suffering from cancer - there’s a reason to support the Summit and make shared knowledge one of the strongest allies in the treatment of cancer here in our country. 

For more information about the upcoming summit, head to pcscancom.org or the Philippine Cancer Commission FB page.