Overcoming Cancer with Resilience and Strong Support System

Insights from Parkway Cancer Center Symposium “Adjusting to Changes” 

Cancer continues to rise in incidence across Southeast Asia. In 2020, almost 10 million people died from cancer globally, a number which is expected to rise to 16.3 million by 2040. In 2022, the Southeast Asian region alone witnessed over 1.1 million new cases in addition to the cases worldwide. While factors such as an aging population and changes in lifestyle contribute to this rise, advancements in healthcare and increased awareness also play significant roles.

Recognizing the multifaceted challenges faced by cancer patients, Parkway Cancer Center (PCC), a Singapore-based treatment center for cancer patients, recently hosted a symposium last March 23, 2024 at Conrad Centennial, Singapore, that aimed to address key aspects of the cancer journey, from diagnosis to survivorship, to guide patients on how to better cope with treatment implications, and caregivers and providers alike to better take care of the ones who need their help. 

Understanding treatment and its implications 

The symposium commenced with an enlightening opening remark by Dr. Richard Quek, a Senior Medical Oncologist at Parkway Cancer Center. 

During the first session, Nurse Manager at PCC, Jeyanthi Anandan, delved into the intricacies of preparing for and commencing cancer treatment. She expounded on various treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, and offered practical advice on coping with common side effects. Her insights empowered attendees with knowledge to confront the treatment journey with resilience and trust to one’s support system.

“Trust and believe that each step you are taking, you are moving towards the objective and the goal of cancer care. Most importantly, don’t forget your cancer support system. They play an important role in the daily life of cancer patients, contributing to better coping of physical and emotional states, and improving overall quality of life. Social support also helps the patients to return to society as best as they could,” Anandan said during her talk.

For combatting fatigue, a pervasive symptom during and after cancer treatment, Senior Staff Nurse at PCC Stella Teo shed light on managing its implications through self-care practices and nutritional guidance. She emphasized strategies to boost energy levels and overcome physical and emotional challenges. Understanding fatigue as a symptom and its underlying causes equips participants with tools for effective self-management. Besides these, Teo also put emphasis on the importance of self-care for the care-givers to better help their loved ones with cancer. 

To empower physical and mental resilience of patients, Kira Ho, a Senior Physiotherapist from IHH Healthcare SG, underscored the transformative power of exercise for cancer warriors. By tailoring safe and adaptable exercise programs, Ho highlighted the role of physical activity in maintaining strength and bolstering mental resilience. But while exercising is essential, she emphasized that not all the time patients have the strength to do more. “Some days you feel like you can do more, and some days you just feel like you can’t do anything, and that is okay. Be kind to yourself.” she said. 

Life After Cancer

Chia Hui Erl Senior Counselor at PCC and Senior Occupational Therapist from Singapore Cancer Society, Shanice Yeow, offered a compassionate perspective on adjusting to life post-cancer. They provided guidance and navigated the complexities of emotional healing and transitioning to a new normalcy. By addressing the psychological aspects of survivorship, both facilitated a holistic approach to recovery. 

“I think it’s important for us to review what is normal for us, and to share openly with your family and friends so that together we can adopt a broader range of what normal is. With the support of family and friends, modify or create new roles and tasks that will help you to reintegrate back to life,” Erl shared during her talk about adjusting to life after cancer.

Hui Erl also highlighted that listening and understanding to one's own internal narrative helps patients rebuild mental and emotional strength. “You know how the mind is capable of choosing any sort you want to believe? So it is really a blessing if you choose self-compassionate narratives that help us make healthier choices.” she added.

Parkway Cancer Center as a beacon of hope for global patients 

The insightful discussion is just a glimpse of what PCC values as an organization and the hands-on team they have who delivers quality cancer-care, from diagnosis to survivorship, to each and every patient. Whether an individual is from Singapore or from other parts of the world, PCC is capable of reaching out and providing the global standard and holistic cancer-care for everyone who needs their help.

“The key to a successful treatment is a strong and experienced multidisciplinary oncology team taking care of the patient. This care journey must start from getting the diagnosis by the pathologist to the close interdisciplinary treatment discussions by the medical oncologist, surgeon and radiation oncologist to give the best care for the patient,” Dr. Quek, Senior Medical Oncologist, said during the interview with Manila Bulletin, emphasizing that a strong and experienced multidisciplinary oncology team largely contributes as well to a patient's healing journey.

While Parkway Cancer Centre regularly conducts symposiums to share knowledge and advancements in cancer treatment, its offerings extend far beyond these events. PCC offers comprehensive care and support throughout their treatment with a multidisciplinary team of experts, advanced treatment modalities, comprehensive support services, continuum of care, and international patient services. 

For more information about PCC cancer care services for local and international patients, visit https://www.parkwaycancercentre.com/ph/home 

6 Common Lies about Lice

Head lice infestation or pediculosis has been a big health problem since the dawn of time. Generations of parents and guardians have always warned against lice, often times panicking and immediately whipping out a suyod (lice comb) once they see something crawling beneath children’s hair. However, despite our long and itchy history with head lice, there are still many who believe in the common misconceptions about lice infestation.

Kilusang Kontra Kuto, a coalition of head lice prevention experts and advocates led by Lamoiyan Corporation’s Licealiz, the Department of Education or DepED, University of the Philippines Manila College of Public Health, Mommy Bloggers Philippines, and Drugstores Association of the Philippines, was created with the goal of dispelling these misconceptions and changing the negative view on pediculosis.

Here are a few of the common misconceptions we often hear about kuto:

⛔ Lice can jump or fly from head to head 

One misconception is that head lice can be obtained just by standing close to someone, due to the ability of lice to ‘jump or fly from one head to another.’ But this is not true. Head lice are not built for jumping or flying. They can, however, transfer from head to head by crawling. Their legs have claws that allow them mobility while gripping strands of hair. They can also be transferred through using someone else’s hair comb, hat, towel or any other object that comes in contact with heads. 

To avoid getting head lice, Dr. Arlene Bertuso from the University of the Philippines Manila College of Public Health advised, “Kung kayo po ay may mga kakilala o may mga kaibigan o mga kamag-anak na suspected na may kuto, wag niyo pong ipapagamit sa inyong mga anak o sa inyong mga kasambahay o sa inyong mga kapamilya ang mga gamit katulag ng suklay, tuwalya, mga damit ng mga suspected o may mga kuto (Don’t let your kids, relatives, and maids use things such as combs, towels, and clothes of people who are suspected to have head lice).”

⛔ Head Lice is caused by poor hygiene 

Many associate head lice with poor hygiene, but anyone can is vulnerable. In fact, it is harder for head lice to live on greasy hair because it is much more slippery.

⛔ Only children get head lice 

Head lice can also be obtained regardless of age and social status. Head lice is simply more prominent in school-aged children than adults because they are more likely to share hats and clothes with others.

⛔Lice prefer longer hair

Another common belief is that head lice prefer to infect longer hair because it is easier for them to camouflage themselves this way. However, the main goal of lice is to infect the scalp and feed off of the blood that lies there, so the likelihood of getting lice is the same whether you have shorter or longer hair. Also, because they mostly stay near the scalp, they are often hard to miss.

⛔You can get lice from animals

Pediculosis is a form of lice infestation that is specific to humans. Over the course of time, lice has evolved based on the kind of hair we have, thus other animals have their own lice and fleas lurking in tufts of fur. This means that humans cannot get lice from household pets and other animals.

⛔ Lice can survive on sheets and blankets for weeks

Head lice cannot survive without feeding from a host. It can still manage to live on linen, stuffed animals or clothes, but it will die after 48 hours. This makes it less likely for you to be infected with head lice from lying on the couch than from direct head to head contact. 

According to Dr. Arlene Bertruso, there are 17% of children who study in public schools in the nation, and they are at risk of getting head lice. “[That is] equivalent to 8,000,000 children. (Equivalent sa 8,000,000 na bata).” says Dr. Bertruso.

Misinformation about lice infestation can fuel the cultural stigma around it and could impact not only the health, but also the behavior of these children. This stigma can be removed by arming ourselves with the proper information to combat these misconceptions. Let us promote proper health communication and conduct the appropriate safety precautions to ensure effective head lice treatment.

For a safe and proven way to eliminate head lice and nits, Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo is an effective solution with its active ingredient pyrethrin, a chrysanthemum extract.

To know more about Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo, visit www.facebook.com/licealiz.