Showing posts with label cervical cancer. Show all posts

Cervical Cancer Awareness - Healthway Medical

cervical cancer, stages
Stages of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the most curable types of cancer but despite this, it still ranks as one of the leading causes of death among Filipino women today. According to the Department of Health (DOH), while the number of cases of cervical cancer is decreasing in developed countries like the United States, it is on the rise in the Philippines.

Cervical cancer is commonly caused by the Human Papillomavirus. The HPV 16 and 18 viruses are commonly associated with the prevalence of cervical cancer among Filipino women. Risky sexual practices, sexual intercourse at young ages, use of injectable contraceptives and even smoking are identified as the reasons for the development of this disease. 

 Though cervical cancer can be fatal if not caught in its early stages, it is very treatable and can easily be detected through a Pap Smear test. A Pap Smear Test or Pap Test is a simple procedure that tests the presence of abnormal cells in the cervix, lower part of the uterus which, according to doctors, is actually a very big help in bringing down cervical cancer cases. “It is alarming that despite the availability of this the Pap Smear Test, many women are still not getting it as regularly as they should,” said Carmie De Leon, vice president for sales and marketing of Healthway Medical.



In observance of Women’s Month, Healthway Medical, the country’s most trusted and leading mall-based clinic, is one with the government in enjoining women to combat cervical cancer by making the public aware of the need to undergo Pap Smear Test.



“As our mission of making men and women aware of the importance of making healthy living part of everyday lifestyle, we encourage women to take the Pap Smear Test every year or every 2 years. Healthway Medical offers this test in all our clinics in Metro Manila.” 


She adds that women should not be embarrassed to undergo the test insisting that the Pap Smear Test is relatively simple and poses no great discomfort.


Doctors advise that women 22 years old and above should undergo pap smear every year or once every three years, particularly when results are negative for three consecutive years. This ensures that the cancer is detected early while it is still treatable.


In another study done by the ICO Information Center on HPV and Cancer, 30.3M women in the Philippines ages 15 and above are at risk of developing cervical cancer. It is the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in the Philippines and is the 2nd most frequent cancer among women between the ages of 15 and 44 years of age.


De Leon added: “It is also important to get vaccinated against the Human Papillomavirus while early even if you are not at-risk.”

healthway

For more details, please contact (02) 751-4929 or visit www.healthway.com.ph. Healthway Medical clinics are located at the Alabang Town Center, Edsa Shangri-la, Market! Market!, Festival Mall, Healthway Manila, SM The Block and Greenbelt 5
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Little Pink Diaries + Mom's Cervical Cancer

The posts in pink diaries are the times with my mother who was battling with cancer. And I used the email of this blog for it. But then, there is another one multiply account filled with business linkage of online sellers with another email in which I did not open anymore. I want to use only one email, so I decided to transfer it (business links in multiply) here and cancel Pink Diaries. But, I can not cancel or delete it easily because it is very special to me. Those are the times when I don't have anyone to talk to emotionally but the keyboard.. 

I have only two untitled posts with dates:

Feb 14, 2009 12:30 AM
According to a doctor, the cause of cervical cancer comes from a man who had an active sex life. Let me put it straight: a man who have an intimate moment with different women and use his wife for another play. You feel okay but the bacteria that got inside will grow unnoticed especially if you have no yearly pap smear. But mother had undergone a lot of surgeries. She has a cesarean operation when my youngest brother was born. Her left Fallopian tube, i think, and ovary was taken out.  It has a tumor that turns negative. I am thankful with that. The doctor told me, don't worry because she will live for 20 years.

My mother, i think, wasn't prepared for this illness. She can not accept it even if i told her to pray, always. She thinks that she was lured into the magical powers of dark evil - daut-kulam. She even asked and cried why "it" was done to her? What's her fault to suffer this kind of ailment. A doctor thinks, she's in Stage 4 now or terminal.

As a daughter, i cried and prayed. I can not accept this fact. My imagination flies for "IF ONLY". If only, i am rich, i'd let mother stay in the hospital longer until it's time or request for a nurse-caregiver to help us. Mother always think about us, her children and husband. She takes care of us, always. A hard working mom who suffers a lot of pain through marriage and a martyr wife.

While battling cancer, mother always cry out my name, hug me, hold and tugged my hand. Who am i to reject my mother's plea of help. My heart is not made of stone. I couldn't stop crying even f i pretend to be.

Even if she's not a perfect mom. She will always be. She's my ONE and ONLY MOM
And last night, mother is bleeding. I changed her adult diaper twice, soaking with blood.
The doctor told us (brother and I) to prepare anytime. Anytime, she'll be gone. According to her,  maybe she's in Stage 4 - Terminal

I hope if it's her time to go and leave us, i am hoping and wishing - she'll be sleeping.

Feb 14, 2009 12:16 AM 

Cancer can kill when you detect it late or you have no financial means especially the medicines.

Mother suffers from cervical cancer stage 3… The doctor told me that she can do nothing about it. She can’t give medicines further etchetera. According to her, only a Gynecology-Oncology doctor can accommodate that area of medicine. I also found out (with a gyne doctor) that after ”RASPA” (another doctor done that) the result is SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA CELL. He suggested for an operation. Operation was done. But the problem was left inside the wall. While, the uterus and ovary was taken out has no problem. Since, the new doctor can't do nothing to it. She told me whatever my mother wants to eat, drink and do.. give her everything. She also warned me that mama will become thinner and sooner or later will shout because of pain and numbness she felt.

Mama is fond of “Albularyo” - a witch doctor especially in rural areas. Psychologically, she thought that what causes her pain is a “da-ut”- done by someone using magical elements. I doubt because i knew everything - medical history. I always believe in these sayings that “Whatever you do to your brethren, it will return back to you” and “You will always reap what you sow!”

In the past months, i saw my mother even in the midst of pain, who can still walk, went to market with me, sits in front of the house and walk around the subdivisions streets. Now, she lies in bed and we kept on massaging her left leg. She said it feels numb and she can not sleep because of it. So, we massage her leg That we lost track of time and house chores. Adjustments has been made. She only stand up to eat, go to the restroom to pee and change her diaper. She doesn’t want us to change her diaper. …. Until such time, she can't do it anymore.
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Remembering Mama and Her Battle with Cervical Cancer

cervical cancer, mother,Yes, mother's day is coming up! I always hear music dedicated to moms from the radios, read in newspapers and even from the internet the best gifts for their mother. It was so overwhelming but at the same time, I feel I distant. My mother is up there in heaven. She's not with us, anymore. How I missed her so, badly. I'm getting teary-eyed and stared at the screen for a moment, trying to suppress my feelings. I know I am not over with the pain of losing her! I guess, time can heal that. I will always remember her, the memories she had left us.

Mama died more than a year ago from cervical cancer. She fought it for more than a year. It makes me feel guilty especially when our neighbor told me that mother was crying. She had told them that, "I don't want to die because I want to take care of my children."  My heart swells and I cried. My mother and I had a few battles especially when I grow up as a teenager. Those were the times that my parents were very protective. Yet, I want my freedom.

 I remember at the age of 33, I was so annoyed about her arguments about my job. Then, I froze when she told me that, "Why are you angry? Don't you want to be taken care of?" Hey! I'm 33 ma. Let me be me and decide for them.

 I had a little time with her because I am in Manila. It's only six months! During my stay, I was able to share my problems for a long time and experiences in Manila. For the first time, my mother listens.
death, cancerSome people said that, "Finally, she was put to rest!". Yes! I saw how she struggled for her last breath, her body was shaking, she turned to her right side even if blood was flowing from between her legs. I was there sitting on the bed beside her, then she puts her hand on my knees as if she needs help and asked for my brother Jun. It was too painful looking at her that way. I wanted to help her but there is nothing I can do than watched her struggle breathlessly. So, I lay down beside her and whispered, asking for forgiveness. I asked her not to worry about us anymore because we will look after ourselves. Then, I sit up again on the bed and reverted my eyes on the television.  That is why I did not notice that she's gone. I can't believe it or maybe I don't want to believe that she's gone. I did not shout or cry for my father and house helper to come. I was trying to wake her up. When I saw her feet turned to bluish and white. And when I touched it, it was cold. I saw my father on the door and called him to check if Mama is really dead. And she is... I was still in shock... 

In reminiscing Mama...
She's a loving Duday for her closest niece and nephews. I do not know where that word "Duday" came from but to modernize it, they call her "Duds. Mostly her nieces seek her out especially when there is a party and food gathering in each place. Mama loves to cook and has her own taste with food. One thing they'll never forget is the food, they never get hungry when Mama is around. If she's one of the cook, she would call them and stuffed their hands with a plate full of food. Sometimes when life gets tough, if one of her niece called her up about a problem. She is their to defend them no matter what. No matter who had done wrong, you can call on her.

That is the same to us, her children. She is always there for us no matter who had done wrong. And I guess, that is how I become so spoiled. It was Mama who fought for my education in a private school. And luckily, I passed the exam for Grade I and a woman (whom I suspected as a Proctor) had helped me out with Math. Even if she's busy with the house chores, tired and her hands are dirty, she would fetch me from school every afternoon. She let me go alone in the mornings until I asked her to stopped fetching me. I want to be on my own. On second thought, It would help mother because she's tired.

I regret those times when I do not understand her. What she was trying to teach me. She loves me too much but I haven't returned it more than a 100%.

 I love you Mama! I miss you so much!
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