During October, we wear pink, but this is definitely not a Mean Girls movie, and there’s more to this month than the color pink. October is dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the country. One in thirteen women develop breast cancer in the Philippines, and the Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Southeast Asia.
The ICanServe Foundation stresses the importance of early detection as seen with their initiatives like the Pink Room. At the Pink Room, you can get breast exams for free. Just as important is the dissemination of accurate information. With that, they introduce your new breast friend, the ICanServe Patient Manual.
“You Can Do This: A Breast Cancer Patient’s Manual” is a love letter from survivors for survivors. “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,” says ICanServe President Nikoy de Guzman.
With the overload of information available on the internet, it can be daunting to read about your symptoms. We’ve all been there. You Google about stomach pain, and the next thing you know, you’re down a rabbit hole expecting the worst. Yes, we’re told to feel for lumps to check for breast cancer, but not all lumps are cancerous.
It can be scary dealing with the unknown, but you can always better equip yourself. The ICanServe Patient Manual is a collaboration between breast cancer survivors and experts in various fields. It’s a comprehensive resource designed to support and empower patients.
“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,” points out ICanServe Founding President Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala.
Information is more accessible now, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed when what you read is full of intimidating scientific terms. To further widen the scope of its readers, the ICanServe Patient Manual is also available in Filipino and Cebuano. “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,” states Alya Honasan, the manual’s editor.
The ICanServe Patient Manual is divided into five chapters. From diagnosis and treatment to life beyond cancer and palliative care, it’s got all the bases covered. The last chapter talks about other issues like financial assistance because the big C also means big Bs (bills).
More than a manual for breast cancer patients and survivors, it’s also a manual for caregivers, friends, and family. “We want patients, carers, caregivers, and health providers to form a circle of support for patients, and to fully share in the journey,” shares Kara, “This circle of support equals hope—the one thing you should never take away from a patient.”
You can download “You Can Do This: A Breast Cancer Patient’s Manual” here. For more information about the ICanServe Foundation, visit their website.
