VSU conducts cancer awareness among its stakeholders

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Extension (OVPRE), in coordination with the Office of the Director for Administration and Human Resource Development, conducted a series of seminars on "Addressing Cancer Risks in the Workplace."

The first batch was held on December 14 at 10:00 o'clock in the morning at the OVPRE Audio-Visual Room with the research and extension people. The second batch was held at 2:00 p.m. of the same day at the Institute for Strategic Research and Development Studies (ISRDS) Conference Room.

This was participated in by the teaching faculty, staff and students of VSU and the officials of Barangay Patag, Baybay City, Leyte.

The third batch was held at 5:00 p.m. in the same venue with the officials of Barangays Pangasugan and Guadalupe. The last batch of the said seminar which was held at the Conference Room of the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance, was attended by the administrative staff of the University.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Alan B. Loreto, Officer In-Charge of the University, said that the seminar is part of the human resource capability program of the University. "But it's sad to note that whenever we give benefits, we always consider the need for a medical examination. But once the VSU people got hold of the money, they use it for other purposes and almost none to ensure their health," he added. Professor Loreto also said that there are three Cs that would keep a person healthy – constant exercise, correct choice of food, and a regular check-up.

Ms. Thelma Q. Suson, a full-time volunteer of the American Cancer Society and a cancer survivor, served as the resource person. She revealed that, "One out of eight women, while one out of three men, gets cancer. And in the Philippines, one person dies of cancer every 15 minutes." However, Ms. Suson reiterated that there are ways to fight cancer. One is the monthly breast self- examination (BSE) which has to be done at the same time of each month. "A woman must have baseline information of her breast so that she would immediately see if there are changes," she added. Another is regular exercise. "Don't exercise when you are sick, rather exercise so you won't get sick," Ms. Suson explained.

"The last is having a plant-based diet but this does not mean that you have to become a vegetarian. You just have to eat more fruits and vegetables. You must also avoid so much of anything that is white since this only becomes our second stomach," she added.

As Ms. Suson shared her experience from the day she was diagnosed to have stage 1 cancer until the day she survived the first five (5) years, she reiterated the importance of the support system – families, friends, relatives and the health providers; and one's attitude and will to survive. "It's you who must fight since no one else can fight for you," she said.

Ms. Suson emphasized that "Early detection will save your life." Thus, she challenged all the participants to do the BSE regularly and to multiply themselves by sharing the information to everyone they knew.

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