“Once you’re in, you’re never out,” is a memorable one-liner fondly uttered in the confines of the Breast Care Center at the East Avenue Medical Center. Evident from the warm smiles that greet you upon entering the room, the welcome of every staff and volunteer you pass by, to the minute you say farewell—there stirs a feeling of never wanting to leave.
Volunteer nurses listen to a breast-screening lecture given at the Center
Amidst a venue (the center being hospital-based) that evokes despair and grief, hope and perseverance prevail—there is still a job to be done.
It is rare to find such a group of dedicated, enthusiastic people who are driven by a common goal: To spread breast-cancer awareness and fight it the best way they can. Together, they are the Kasusos(lifted from their support group name, Kasuso).
Of breast intentions
The Philippines ranks number one in Asia in breast-cancer deaths among women. This shocking statistic can be blamed largely on the modern Westernized diet, which consists of high-fat and low-fiber foods.
From this, Dr. Florentino Doble, then chairman of the Department of Surgery of the hospital, and Pearl Imperial, a breast-cancer survivor, realized the crying need to raise people’s awareness regarding breast cancer and to decrease its prevalence in the country. Using space in the basement of the East Avenue Medical Center, the Breast Care Center (BCC) was put up by the Philippine Foundation of Breast Care, Inc. (PFBCI), which was established in June 2000.
PFBCI is a non-stock, nonprofit, volunteer-based organization, with members coming from health-care and non-health-care professionals, breast-cancer patients, survivors and their families, as well as ordinary individuals who simply want to help. This organization is very clear about its advocacy and goal: To be the country’s leading institution in the fight against breast cancer.
To carry out its mission, PFBCI deploys a team of doctors, nurses, and other volunteers on visits to indigent communities to talk and train women (and also the men) on breast care and lump detection. In addition, its mobile clinic provides services like on-site core biopsies that otherwise would be virtually inaccessible to the less fortunate patients, who would be hard pressed to even come up with transportation fare, much more the money for hospital bills.
Well-endowed programs
The word suso ignites disgust and malicious thought once it is uttered. It is defamed and slandered. The very source of humankind’s first source of nourishment is now taboo. “Nagkaroon na siya ng negative stigma ngayon,” states Dr. Connie Aleta, a psychiatrist and vice chairman of the board of trustees of PFBCI, “when in fact, we were given life by the breast, because of the milk coming from our mothers, and that is why we are trying to put back the honor and respect to the breast.” Malou Cortez, the organization’s president, adds, “If you can’t even express the word to your daughter in order to educate her, how can you educate her about suso?”
Born out of this advocacy is the brainchild of Dr. Aleta, aptly called the Boobie Program. She says that the term “boobs” is much acceptable to the youth and generates a positive reaction from them. The Boobie Program promotes breast-cancer awareness and empowers women and men through knowledge.
A booby call
“I love what we are doing, it is very fulfilling,” shares Pearl, “Nakaka-challenge kasi iba-ibang tao ang name-meet mo every day. Mafe-feel mo how blessed you are that you are given the opportunity to help others. It’s not all about money after all.”
During the interview the office learns that a patient’s medicine is unavailable for pick-up and that the patient’s chemotherapy will have to be moved again. PFBCI quickly makes arrangements to swap medicines from the Breast Care Center’s stock with that of the concerned center so that the patient’s session can push though. Talk about compassion in action!
No wonder that it is difficult to leave an organization like this. PFBCI’s staff and volunteers offer their time freely, without regard for financial gain. They are moving mountains to achieve their goals.
For PFBCI and its warm, dedicated, and compassionate doctors, nurses, staff, and volunteers, a busy, busty future lies ahead.