Bilang bahagi ng National Cancer Awareness Month ngayong Pebrero, namahagi ang Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region, sa pamamagitan ng Non-communicable unit nitong Miyerkules ng 160 health kits sa mga cancer patients sa Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) na makakatulong upang maiwasan ang impeksiyon sa mga sumasailalim sa chemotherapy.

“The best way to protect one’s self from infection during cancer treatment is by practicing good hygiene such as hand-washing to prevent the spread of infection. The various hygiene practices such as taking a bath regularly and tooth brushing contribute to the reduction of cancer in the body,” ayon kay Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco.

Dagdag pa ni Sydiongco, “These kits will provide the necessary supplies to complement the hygiene process a cancer patient need to perform. Napakaimportante na sila ay malinis sa panilang pangangatawan upang masiguro ang kanilang kaligtasan sa anuang infection na maaaring dumapo habang sila ay napapa-chemotherapy.”

Nabatid na kasama sa package ang mga supplies gaya ng germicidal soap, toothpaste at toothbrush at alkohol para i-complement ang basic hygiene practices gaya nang paghuhugas ng kamay, pagpapanatiling malusog ang bibig at pangangalaga sa mga sugat.

Sinabi ni Regional Program Manager of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Francisco de Vera Jr. na ang distribusyon ng health kits ay isang paraan upang ipakita ang malasakit at pangangalaga para sa mga pasyenteng na-diagnosed na may sakit na kanser.

“This well-considered care package can be helpful and special to people who are going through cancer treatment,” dagdag pa niya.

Ayon sa DOH Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS), ang kanser ay ikatlo sa nangungunang sanhi ng mortality o pagkamatay sa Region 1 mula 2016-2020.

Kabilang sa Top 10 most common cancers ay breast, cervix uteri, colorectum, Corpus Uteri, leukemia, liver, lung, ovary, prostate, at thyroid cancer.

Ang breast cancer naman ang may highest incidence rate at ang lung cancer ang may highest mortality rate.

Ayon pa sa DOH, “Around one-third of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity.”