Baguio hospital notes increase in colon cancer cases
Posted on | Friday, 18 March 2011 | No Comments
by Lito Dar
BAGUIO CITY, Friday March 18 – Colon cancer remains to be the top type of cancer in the Cordillera region, along with breast cancer, and recently there is a noted increase in the number of colon cancer cases and on its prevalence on the younger age bracket.
This was affirmed by Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) Department of Surgery chair, Dr. Romeo Concepcion Jr., in a kapihan forum, Wednesday.
According to Concepcion, the increase in colon cancer cases is alarming. They have been receiving at the BGHMC about eight to 10 cases a month. This he said is due to good documentation or to the increasing awareness of early detection and medication that people now consult with doctors.
Concepcion also affirmed that colon cancer cases usually involve 60 years old and above but now the age group is getting younger. He informed that they have diagnosed some 50 years old with colon cancer.
Concepcion advises those who are 45 years old and above to visit the doctor and undergo colonoscopy – an endoscopic examination of the colon, as colon cancer is curable, if detected early.
Concepcion also dismissed the notion that a colon cancer is an illness of rich people. Anybody can have a colon cancer especially those who have it in their "gene" or hereditary to a person. “If it is in a person’s gene, then it cannot be prevented. Ang question lang is on when it will manifest,” he explained.
He also admitted that diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer could really be costly to many people. For colonoscopy alone, it could cost as much as P1,800 to P2,500 or even as high as P5,000 in private hospitals, and this is for the use of the equipment alone.
But at BGHMC, Concepcion said colonoscopy costs about P1,500 and can be free for charity cases depending on the patient’s case.
In reducing the risk factor of contracting a colon cancer, Concepcion advises the public to maintain a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle. “What we need is a high fiber, low fat diet. More on vegetables, fruits, water, take vitamin c, and have a regular exercise,” the doctor stressed.
Dr. Concepcion was one of the invited panelists of the Department of Health (DOH-CAR) for the Kapihan forum which tackled health events this March and other program and activity updates. March is also "Colon and Rectal Cancer Awareness Month.".* (PIA CAR)
BAGUIO CITY, Friday March 18 – Colon cancer remains to be the top type of cancer in the Cordillera region, along with breast cancer, and recently there is a noted increase in the number of colon cancer cases and on its prevalence on the younger age bracket.
This was affirmed by Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) Department of Surgery chair, Dr. Romeo Concepcion Jr., in a kapihan forum, Wednesday.
According to Concepcion, the increase in colon cancer cases is alarming. They have been receiving at the BGHMC about eight to 10 cases a month. This he said is due to good documentation or to the increasing awareness of early detection and medication that people now consult with doctors.
Concepcion also affirmed that colon cancer cases usually involve 60 years old and above but now the age group is getting younger. He informed that they have diagnosed some 50 years old with colon cancer.
Concepcion advises those who are 45 years old and above to visit the doctor and undergo colonoscopy – an endoscopic examination of the colon, as colon cancer is curable, if detected early.
Concepcion also dismissed the notion that a colon cancer is an illness of rich people. Anybody can have a colon cancer especially those who have it in their "gene" or hereditary to a person. “If it is in a person’s gene, then it cannot be prevented. Ang question lang is on when it will manifest,” he explained.
He also admitted that diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer could really be costly to many people. For colonoscopy alone, it could cost as much as P1,800 to P2,500 or even as high as P5,000 in private hospitals, and this is for the use of the equipment alone.
But at BGHMC, Concepcion said colonoscopy costs about P1,500 and can be free for charity cases depending on the patient’s case.
In reducing the risk factor of contracting a colon cancer, Concepcion advises the public to maintain a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle. “What we need is a high fiber, low fat diet. More on vegetables, fruits, water, take vitamin c, and have a regular exercise,” the doctor stressed.
Dr. Concepcion was one of the invited panelists of the Department of Health (DOH-CAR) for the Kapihan forum which tackled health events this March and other program and activity updates. March is also "Colon and Rectal Cancer Awareness Month.".* (PIA CAR)
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Baguio City
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