DOH warns of irreversible nature of liver cancer

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Health has warned the public on the rising cases of liver cancer, saying “people should not wait until they get cancer to practice a healthy lifestyle.”

According to Dr. Tristan Jediah Labitad, head of the non-communicable diseases cluster of the Department of Health Center for Health and Development Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHDNM), people generally neglect their health by indulging in non-stop eating and drinking, especially during the holiday season or in parties.

“We neglect it, but the impact of a healthy lifestyle is powerful sa atoang mga lawas,” he said during the Talakayan sa PIA forum here.

He explained that everything a person ingests eventually results in the development of diseases that not only affect the liver but also the colon. The colon is a commonly affected organ, he emphasized.

Citing DOH and World Health Organization data, Labitad said cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths in 2012 alone.

Cancer is the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country after diseases of the heart and the vascular system, he said, quoting the Philippine Health Statistics survey in 2009.

Among Filipino men, the six most common sites of cancer diagnosed in 2010 were lung, liver, colon/rectum, prostate, stomach, and leukemia. Among Filipino women, the six most common sites diagnosed were the breast, cervix, lung, colon/rectum, ovary, and liver.

Furthermore, 189 of every 100,000 Filipinos are afflicted with cancer, while four Filipinos die of cancer every hour, or 96 cancer patients every day, according to a study conducted by the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health.

Labitad shares seven tips to prevent cancer, foremost of which is to quit smoking.

“First is tobacco smoking, be it imong yupyopon or be it imong usapon. Kining mga tobacco nga ginagamit ga-release ni siya og substances og nagka lain-lain cancer may be lung cancer, mouth, tongue, and throat cancer,” he said.

“The second is eating a healthy diet. We are really promoting healthy food because from the season nagkalain-lain atong pagkaon sa ham, processed food, lechon, humba, and hamonada, among others. And third is physical exercise or activity because we have had a super sedentary lifestyle for the past year. Our new year’s intention for this year is balik alindog, galaw-galaw para di pumanaw,” he added.

The doctor suggested at least 150 minutes of exercise every week, 30 minutes of exercise daily, or a mix of moderate or vigorous exercise for at least 100 minutes every week to give our hearts a lift and burn calories that are excess and unwanted in the body.

Next is to get vaccinated with HPV, or human papillomavirus, against cervical cancer and other forms of cancer. Also, the hepatitis B vaccine. “Prevention is better than cure,” said the doctor.

Moreover, Labitad encouraged individuals to undergo health check-ups. He pointed out that there is a prevalent issue of "very poor" health-seeking behavior among people. He also noted that individuals either exhibit fear of going to the hospital or express reluctance to visit healthcare facilities.

The next step is to get and maintain a normal body weight, according to Labitad, saying that eventually, in the long run, the fats in the body will become triggers to convert into something else that would lead to cancer. “That is why it is important to maintain a normal body mass index (BMI), not just during the Christmas and New Year seasons but all year round,” he said.

“Lastly, one must avoid risky behavior practices such as unsafe sex. DOH-CHDNM promotes safe sex because one of the ways a woman can get cervical cancer or infection can be acquired through sexual intercourse. Practice safe sex or avoid risky behavior and no to sharing (IV) needles, he added.

The doctor explained that the impact of a healthy lifestyle is encompassing, meaning that it does not only help in avoiding liver cancer but that all the cells in your body will benefit. (JMOR)