March is the Philippines Colon Cancer Awareness Month.
March has passed. What did we learn about this disease aside from the fact that it is the 4th deadliest kind of cancer in the Philippines.
March is observed as the Philippines Colon Cancer Awareness Month to encourage people to learn how to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer through regular screening and a healthy lifestyle.
Cancer is a dreaded word.
Don’t be afraid. Colon Cancer is detectable and preventable.
Early detection simply means going to the doctor for a check-up. The Doctor will check the tissues growing in the wall of the colon that can lead to cancer.
What causes these clumps of tissues that show up in the colon?
Carcinogens from food, abandoned bacteria, or microbes from waste, can come in contact with the wall of the colon and cause polyps (a small growth, usually benign and with a stalk, protruding from a mucous membrane) to develop.
Data revealed that in the year 2012, 8,000 Filipinos were diagnosed with colon cancer. Out of those 8,000 Filipinos, only half survive.
Early detection of polyps through colonoscopy can save lives because then it can be removed.
Colonoscopy is an exam used to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. During a colonoscopy, a long, flexible tube (colonoscope) is inserted into the rectum. A tiny video camera at the tip of the tube allows the doctor to view the inside of the entire colon.
Colonoscopy cost between 18,000 to 30,000 pesos in the Philippines.
Always remember that the earlier the cancer is detected, the better the survival rate.
Surgery is the primary mode of treatment for colorectal cancer and can be curative in early stages.
Chemotherapy is the primary mode of treatment after surgery in colon cancer
Chemoradiotherapy is used in rectum cancer prior to surgery.
Looks expensive right?
Worry not for as long as you are a member of Philhealth, you are covered.
Colon cancer is included in the Z benefits of Philhealth.
Z benefits is a package of benefits that will primarily address catastrophic cases.
The package is called Z benefit, for if we were to rank and classify all illnesses from A to Z, those illnesses that push patients into prolonged hospitalization and very expensive treatments would be the last letter or the Z illnesses.
Included in the Z benefits are hospital room and board fees, drugs and laboratory exams, operating room and professional fees for the entire course of treatment.
Isn’t that great?
Note: Everyone at the age of 50 and above should undergo colonoscopy.
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