MUNTINLUPA CITY, Philippines — The Philippines is now reported to have the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in Asia and is among the top 10 countries with the most cases of breast cancer. One out of every 13 Filipino women is expected to develop breast cancer in her lifetime, medical authorities said.

Breast cancer is the most common in the country as confirmed by the Department of Health and the Philippine Cancer Society, Inc.

It brings a dark cloud of fear, uncertainty, or even panic to the patient as well as her family to learn about the dreaded big “C” falling on a loved one. The next question is: how do we provide the best care for the patient who is facing a battle for her life and happiness?

The good news is, the highest level of competent, compassionate care for women (or even men) with breast cancer is now within reach through Asian Hospital and Medical Center’s Breast Center.

What makes AHMC’s Breast Center the ideal place for getting breast cancer treatment? First of all, it is the first and only medical breast center that is designed to meet the unique needs of women in terms of breast health. It’s a one-stop shop for breast care using the latest technology and medical expertise—from disease prevention to screening, to diagnosis, and treatment.  It treats patients with an approach conforming to international standards of care.

“Having breast cancer is a traumatizing experience for a woman and her family. It is an assault not only on her peace of mind but on her privacy.  At the AHMC Breast Center, we provide complete holistic support to our patients. Their physical, mental, and emotional well-being are addressed—we keep them relaxed and comfortable while also protecting their privacy.

“For example, all our Breast Center nurses are female, so that even when patients are changing clothes or waiting in-between procedures, they are only in the presence of women like them—with no chance of a male hospital staff walking in on them. Breast cancer patients are already anxious and stressed.

“What the Breast Center does is make the experience of screening, diagnosis, and treatment as stress-free as possible. The Breast Center is the area where breast patients are away from the rest of the patients at the hospital—it’s a private, exclusive place where we make them feel safe and cared for,” explained Dr. Aldine Basa, head of the AHMC Breast Center.

“At the Breast Center, everything patients would need is located in one centralized complex. All our machines, from our digital mammography to our ultrasound, to the biopsy lab are all inside the Breast Center. There’s no more need for breast cancer patients to move from one floor to the next, or go from one section of the hospital to the next.  This makes their experience much less stressful and much more comfortable,” added Dr. Basa.

The waiting rooms and the diagnostic rooms, as well as the recovery rooms at the Breast Center have a five-star hotel ambiance—beautiful linens, soft beds, fluffy pillows, air-conditioning, and even flat screen televisions are provided.  There are flowers and paintings plus relaxing music to put the patient’s mind and heart at ease.

The technology used at the Breast Center is state-of-the-art and the doctors supervising it are experts in the field. Its team of highly skilled Breast Surgeons, Breast Reconstructive and Plastic Surgeons, and Radiologists is led by Dr.  Aldine Basa, a Breast Surgery Specialist with advanced specialization training in Peter Maccallum Cancer Center in Melbourne, Australia and San Rafaele Hospital in Milan, Italy.

While breast cancer is the third leading cause of death in the Philippines, and the Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Southeast Asia, it’s ironic that breast cancer is also preventable and is one of the cancers with the greatest chance for remission.

Having a Breast Center that is designed for women’s sense of privacy and modesty, and that conveniently gives them all they need in one place—all these go a long way in encouraging them to undergo screening and diagnosis; whatever hesitation they may feel is eased because they feel more protected, more cared for, and in competent hands at the AHMC Breast Center.  This helps tremendously in the fight to protect women from breast cancer and other breast-related illnesses. (advt)