PHL Embassy in Vientiane, AIMC Raise Awareness on Women’s Health Issues
Philippine Ambassador Belinda M. Ante expresses her appreciation to Alliance International Medical Center and the participants in promoting cancer awareness to the Filipino Community.
26 March 2018 VIENTIANE – The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, Laos, in partnership with the Alliance International Medical Center (AIMC) conducted a Seminar on Women’s Health Issues at the Embassy premises on March 21 as part of its National Women’s Month activities. The seminar was attended by 32 members of the Filipino community.
Dr. Erin Hummert Young, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics specialist at AIMC, gave an overview of the different causes of cancer, such as carcinogens, ultraviolet rays, and an unhealthy lifestyle, but also stressed that medical studies have yet to discover the causes of certain types of cancers. She discussed four types of cancer that are prevalent among women, namely breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine, and advised the participants to undergo self-exams and screenings at hospitals, as early detection increases the chances of survival. In addition, Dr. Young provided timetables for screening per age bracket for the four types of cancer. She also advised young girls and women up to 26 years of age to be vaccinated for Human papillomavirus (HPV) to lower the risk of cervical cancer, which is one of the most preventable forms of the disease. She also listed the various types of treatment for these types of cancer.
Ms. Barbara Aritao, Nurse at AIMC, and Ms. Yosawadee Chantapinya, International Coordinator at North-Eastern Wattana Hospital Group, distributed information materials on the services provided by the two hospitals for screening and treatment. They also encouraged the participants to visit doctors in the hospitals if they want to undergo screening and laboratory tests.
Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer for women in the world and in the Philippines. Studies show that 1 in 13 women in the Philippines will get breast cancer in her lifetime. END
Dr. Erin Young gives an overview of her presentation on the various types of cancer that women are at most risk of obtaining.
For more information, visit www.vientianepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/philippineembassy.vientiane.54?fref=search.