A non-government organization (NGO) launched on Thursday, Sept. 14, a comprehensive patient manual for breast cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers detailing their journey to wellness and to further increase the public's awareness of the disease.

(Manila Bulletin photo)

ICanServe Foundation, formerly known as the Information on Breast Cancer and Other Services founded by journalist Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, kicked-off its “You Can Do This: A Breast Cancer Patient’s Manual" in Makati City. The said manual is available as a free download in English and Filipino using the link https://www.icanservefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PATIENT-MANUAL-ENGLISH.pdf.

The launch was also attended by several breast cancer survivors and advocates which included ICanServe Foundation Chairman of the Board Crisann Celdran, ICanServe Foundation President Nikoy De Guzman, Philippine Cancer Society President Dr. Corazon Ngelangel, San Juan City First Lady Keri Zamora, Muntinlupa City First Lady Trina Biazon, ICanServe Foundation Breast Cancer Patient Manual Editor Alya Honasan, Cancer Coalition Philippines President Paul Perez, Cancer Coalition Philippines Vice President for External Affairs Menchie Auste, and National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) Council member Dr. Rachel Rosario.

"What sets apart the ICanServe patient manual, ‘You Can Do This!,’ is that it is Philippine and patient-centered. To this day, there are gaps in information for the rich, the middle class, and the poor. Patients often feel side effects or symptoms that are unacknowledged and unaddressed. We want patients, carers, caregivers, and health providers to form a circle of support for patients, and to fully share in the journey, beginning with accurate information and acknowledging the unique and nuanced experience of breast cancer patients. This circle of support equals hope—the one thing you should never take away from a patient," Alikpala, who is also the vice president for Internal Affairs of the Cancer Coalition Philippines, said.

"I didn’t know much about cancer or how to have it when I was diagnosed 24 years ago. Speaking with other survivors and searching online helped minimize the fear and empowered me," Celdran explained.

"The manual is a love letter from survivors to other survivors and their caregivers and families, and one I wish I had access to back then," she added.

"As a longtime survivor, many newly-diagnosed women or their loved ones come to me for advice. While I try my best, my answers are insufficient, or too vague, or too scattered. With this manual, I'm able to give sound advice— even for questions they haven't asked—in a more organized manner," De Guzman said.

"We hope this manual sends the message that cancer is not a death sentence. Many things can be done to ease the burden of a cancer diagnosis. No one is alone in her fight," she noted.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 27,163 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the Philippines in 2020, making it the most common cancer in the country. Furthermore, breast cancer has a mortality rate of 10.7 percent or 9,926 deaths, making it the third most fatal cancer in the country behind only lung cancer and liver cancer.

To help patients, survivors and caregivers access essential information throughout their cancer journey, the manual offers practical knowledge and advice, and shares heartfelt stories from breast cancer survivors.

A source of information and encouragement, the manual combines information gleaned from studies and established sources such as the American Cancer Society, as well as personal anecdotes. It covers a wide range of topics, from the medical (understanding treatment options, managing side effects), to the personal (how to tell your family and friends), to the practical (financing cancer treatment).

"Written by breast cancer survivors, and with input from experts in various fields, from psychiatry to palliative care, the updated manual is written in layman's terms to help patients as well as their families and support groups at different stages on the journey. It's a solid, valuable reminder that no breast cancer survivor is ever completely alone in this experience," Honasan said. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Ngelangel expressed her support for the manual saying, "This manual empowers women to take charge of their well-being through self-education, self-assessment, and self-reliance; equipping them with insights on getting the right treatment at the right time.”

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire-Singh also expressed her gratitude to the foundation for their efforts in battling breast cancer and giving support for its patients and their families.

"I see this manual as not just a publication; it is a lifeline, a source of empowerment, and a beacon of hope for countless individuals and families affected by breast cancer. We are well-aware of the burden of breast cancer in women. Some people may even perceive it as a death sentence. Moreover, the impact of cancer within a family is profound. It doesn't stop with the patient; instead, it ripples through all of the family members’ mental health, relationships, and livelihood," Singh said.

"Worse is that most patients who suffer the worst cancer outcomes are the disadvantaged and marginalized members of our society due to poverty and lack of education. The impact of social determinants of health is clearly visible in these individuals. Lower income and education levels often lead to restricted access to healthcare resources, especially information on self-examination and early breast cancer screenings. Consequently, this can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, resulting in more advanced disease stages and significantly worse outcomes," she explained.

"Thus I congratulate the ICanServe Foundation for launching their Breast Cancer Patient Manual. It will be one of the key steps that we can take to prevent the scourge of this disease among women. Through this manual, we can start empowering women to take control of their overall health," the secretary noted.