Cancer center urges women to have early cervical screening
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, May 5 (PIA) -- Cervical cancer can be prevented, especially with early detection.
Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) program coordinator Ronald delos Reyes emphasized this as the country celebrates Cervical Cancer Awareness Month this May.
According to EJACC, a Cebu-based cancer registry center, cervical cancer can primarily be prevented by human pappilomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Other preventive measures include regular cervical screening, annually or as advised by the OB/GYN, and HPV testing.
Women in their 20s should have a pap smear every two years, and women in their thirties who have had three consecutive normal pap smears should undergo screening every three years.
Women ages 65 to 70, who have had three consecutive normal pap smear results and no abnormal findings in 10 years, can discontinue screenings altogether if they choose.
“Both HPV testing and pap smear are the most effective ways of detecting and preventing possible cervical malignancy,” delos Reyes said.
Another important step in prevention is knowing that there are a lot of lifestyle- and health-related factors that may cause cervical cancer, such as sex at a young age, multiple sex partners, promiscuous male partners, history of sexually transmitted disease, smoking, and use of oral contraceptive pills for more than five years, Delos Reyes explained.
EJACC information brochures include these health advises for Women to limit their sexual partners to lessen the transmission of HPV. The sexually active males should use condoms to avoid transmission of HPV and STDs. Smokers are urged to stop and nonsmokers to avoid secondhand smoking.
“Knowing the risk factors can also help. Sexual promiscuity or multiple sexual partners is strongly discouraged as well as smoking. Avoid secondhand smoking too,” delos Reyes added.
The Metro Cebu Population-Based Cancer Registry records cervical cancer as among the top five most common types of cancer among women, ages 35 to 64 as the ones most likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer.
“In 1993-1997, among the 181 women diagnosed of cervical cancer in Metro Cebu, 93 died. In 1998-2002, 185 deaths among the 353 cases were reported. In 2003-2007, there were 162 deaths out of the 311 cases,” disclosed delos Reyes.
Cervical cancer is a disease affecting the cervix, which is located in the lower narrow part of the uterus or the womb where the baby grows during pregnancy.
Common signs and symptoms of cervical cancer includes abnormal vaginal bleeding, serosanguinous discharge with a fishy odor, pelvic pain, and bowel and bladder frequency changes. (mbcn/PIA-7/HFG/RAFI)
===========
CCCI launches Cebu Business Month 2012
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, May 5 (PIA) –- To help sustain Cebu’s vibrant economy, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) recently launched the Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2012 under the theme ‘Soar Higher Cebu.”
The CBM held every June is a month-long celebration that aims to provide a venue to help small and medium enterprises boost their businesses as well as focus on Cebu’s strong points to further propel economic growth in partnership with government agencies and local government units.
“Over 100 years of existence, the CCCI has helped government leaders towards fueling Cebu’s economic growth and we continue to do our share as lead advocate in the business development of Cebu and will continue to do so in many years to come,” bared Prudencio Gesta, president of CCCI.
Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale who delivered a message told the Cebu businessmen that the “province will continue to be your partner in sustaining the economic momentum we have gain” as we continue to invite the holding of international forums to increase tourist arrivals here and ensure that the province is a friendly investment haven conducive to do business.
Cebu City Michael Rama, on the other hand, stated that “only in working together we can make things happen” as he reiterated his administration’s support to the local business community
Meanwhile, CBM 2012 overall chairman Mario Panganiban said there are four major thrusts of the celebration namely ICT and BPO, entrepreneurship, emerging and growing industries and tourism.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu chairs the area on entrepreneurship as provincial director Nelia Navarro said it is the agency’s mandate to assist micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) grow and be competitive.
“The micro, small and medium enterprises are the building block of the industry,” as over 90 percent of businesses in the country are SMEs, said Navarro.
Navarro said the DTI is working closely with the CCCI and is at the forefront in the conduct of the SMEs Conference slated on June 8 where a number of businessmen not only from Cebu but also from other provinces are expected to attend.
“The conference will feature on strategies in enhancing competitiveness and improve access to market and finances. There will also be sharing of best practices,” Navarro revealed.
Navarro further said the conference will provide the venue to hear the needs of the SMEs sector and provide the necessary support from the government to promote an enabling environment suitable for business.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 is also involved in the celebration as the CBM 2012 will promote locally-made technology that have a strong potential in the global market.
Likewise, since tourism is an economic driver of Cebu and the rest of Central Visayas, the CCCI is also partnering with the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 on how to promote the best of Cebu. (PIA-Cebu)
============
DAR-Cebu signs MOA with NORSU on ARCCESS projects
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, May 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Cebu Provincial Office with Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) conducted a Needs Assessment / Needs Design of the newly-lauded Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) project in the province of Cebu.
The project will benefit 258 sugar planters farmers in Medellin and Bogo, and 780 rice farmers in Toledo, Asturias and Pinamungajan, Cebu.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer-in-charge Isagani Yee and NORSU President Dr. Henry Sojor signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under the ARCCESS project on April 27, 2012 at the DAR Cebu Conference Room, Cebu City with DAR-7 regional director Rodolfo Inson and NORSU Vice President for Planning Research Extension & International Linkages Dr. Peter Dayot witnessed the signing.
Inson said that ARCCESS is the brainchild of DAR Secretary Gil de los Reyes. It is an agri-enterprise program that extends assistance to the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) by organizing the important facets of land preparation, harvesting, logistics and marketing.
Inson also explained that ARCCESS has two components: First, it is the provision of professional service providers to educate ARBs on the different aspects of enterprise development and Secondly, it is the provision of common service facilities or simply providing the ARBs with farm implements and machineries to address production and post harvest scenarios.
To effectively implement the ARCCESS project, PARO Yee disclosed that DAR ties up with the accredited State University and Colleges (SUCs) who could lend their expertise in conducting the needs and design assessments.
In the MOA, NORSU will validate the capabilities of these organizations to undertake such kind of activity and determine the factors that would help improve agricultural yield and eventually increase their income.
There were two (2) approved ARCCESS proposals in the province of Cebu; the enhanced sugarcane production training and development that will cover 162 hectares to help five( 5) ARBOs in Medellin and Bogo, and the enhanced rice production to cover 830 hectares to benefit five (5 ) ARBOs in Toledo, Asturias and Pinamungajan, Cebu.
Under the agreement, NORSU shall conduct the Needs Assessment of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) and Design Assessment of the proposed Enhanced Rice Project.
These will be implemented by the following ARBOs: Cebu United Farmers Irrigators’ Association (CUFIA) and Bulahan Canlumampao MPC (BUCAMPUCO) in the City of Toledo; the Pundok sa Mag-uuma (PUMAG) and Bago Lunas United Irrigators’ Association (BLUCIA) in the Municipality of Asturias; and the Anopog Paglaum Irrigators’ Association (APIA) in the Municipality of Pinamungajan.
And the other ARCCESS project is the proposed Enhanced Sugarcane Production Training and Development to be implemented by the San Jose Farmers Multi-Purpose Coop (SAJOMAMCO) and Canhabagat United Farmers Association (CUFA) in the municipality of Medellin; Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma ug Mamumuo Sa Programang Agraryo (NAMMPRA); Anonang Norte Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ANARBA) and Hacienda Felomina Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (HFARBA), in the City of Bogo, Cebu.
NORSU President Dr. Sojor, said that the institution surely will support the new collaboration that will benefit the farmers communities in the implementation of ARCCESS. (mbcn/hfg/PIA-7/ & DARPO)
============
RAFI calls on move to eliminate cancer cases on children
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CITY May 5 (PIA) --- The Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) urges for the early detection and prevention of cancer among children.
EJACC-RAFI program coordinator Ronald delos Reyes said cancer among children causes so much sufferings in them, terrible reputation with the pain from the disease and the suffering experienced during treatment.
Delos Reyes said, “the intense and extensive medical treatment required to have a cure often creates additional challenges that are both life-threatening and life-altering for the children. They endure treatment during a period when they are growing up and developing emotionally, physically, and intellectually.”
Based on statistics from RAFI EJACC’s Metro Cebu Population Cancer Registry, there are 64 children in Metro Cebu that are diagnosed of cancer each year.
The incidence of cancer affecting children has been increasing, with a five-year average increase of 36 percent for the past 15 years already, said Delos Reyes.
The same statistics showed that six out of 10 children with cancer in Metro Cebu, are diagnosed and found to have cancer even before the age of 10.
Every year in the province, 38 children die of cancer in which 60 percent of the victims are below 10 years old, Delos Reyes sadly stated.
Treatment for childhood cancer usually run for three months to three years which are considerably longer than those of adults. This require rounds of chemotherapy to treat the disease.
"For some, a bone morrow transplant is the only remedy for cancer patient to survive while in other cases surgery and/or radiation is required to remove the tumor," Delos Reyes explained.
It is very important to address the needs of the child and their family to achieve complete and long-term healing, Delos Reyes said.
He then pointed out that although causes of most cancer are unknown, it is still one of the top causes of death among children with Leukemia as the most common type of cancer affecting young Cebuanos followed by brain cancer, and retinoblastoma.
Delos Reyes concluded that through early detection with proper and complete treatment it is perceive that close to 75 percent of children suffering from cancer can be cured in the end.
For more information about the screening activity, please contact EJACC at 254-6351 or 256-3287 and look for Gina Mariquit, or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph. (mbcn/AS/PIA-CEBU)