Celebrating World Cancer Day: Interview with Young Pharmacists Who Survived Cancer
By Chidinma Omereji and Teresa May Bandiola
World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day is an international day celebrated every 4th of February (UICC, 2019a). It is generally aimed at engaging conscious effort to raise awareness of cancer and encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment, as well as to reduce cancer stigma.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines cancer as a large group of diseases that can begin in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs. The latter process is called metastasizing and is a major cause of death from cancer. Other common names for cancer are neoplasm and malignant tumor.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, according to the WHO, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018, or one in six deaths (WHO, n.d.). The 2018 data revealed that there were 18.1 million new cancer cases globally, and it is projected that new cancer cases in 2030 will reach 24.1 million (UICC, 2019b). The most common types of cancer in men are lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancers. On the other hand, breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, and thyroid cancers are the most common among women (WHO, n.d.).
About 70,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States alone. Young adults (YA) are defined as those people between the ages of 15 and 39, and they are more likely than either younger children or older adults to be diagnosed with certain cancers, such as Hodgkin lymphoma, testicular cancer, and sarcomas (NCI, 2018).
Globally, 0.64% of those ages 15 to 49 had cancer in 2017. Of the population younger than 50, the prevalence is well under 1% (Roser and Ritchie, 2020).
By addressing certain exposures and behaviors among today’s youth, we can reduce their chances of getting cancer in the future through the following (CDC, 2019):
- Completing the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series;
- Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables;
- Getting enough physical activity;
- Avoiding intentional tanning;
- Quitting smoking and other tobacco use;
- Preventing underage drinking;
- Avoiding exposure to certain chemicals; and
- Limiting radiation dose during medical imaging procedures.
Interviews with Young Pharmacists Survivors
This article highlights an interview with two (2) Filipino young pharmacists who generously shared with us their cancer journey. In the Philippines, cancer is the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality after diseases of the heart and the vascular system. According to the latest data, the six (6) most common sites of cancer diagnosed among Filipino men are lung, liver, colon/rectum, prostate, stomach, and leukemia. On one hand, the six (6) most common sites diagnosed among Filipino women are breast, cervix, lung, colon/rectum, ovary, and liver (DOH, n.d.).
Honeymae Custodio Alos is a former production team leader in a pharmaceutical firm and is currently pursuing her master’s degree while Rhea Lopez presently works as a medical researcher. This is their story.
Honeymae Custodio Alos
1. Tell us about your journey. When were you diagnosed with cancer? And how did you find out?
I was working before as a production team leader in a pharmaceutical company when I decided to go back to school and take up a master’s degree. Back then, people, aside from myself, noticed that the shape of my jaw was changing. Because of this, I was convinced to have my check-up so I looked for a new place near the university for my graduate study.
I was diagnosed with Central Low-grade Osteosarcoma on December 3, 2014. In my case, it had already been removed during the surgery before they found out that it was malignant. I had two (2) biopsies prior to the surgery: first was around June 2014 and the second one was around August 2014. They told me it was only benign.
2. What kind of treatment did you receive?
I have undergone a major surgery. Prior to the surgery, they estimated that it would take 16 hours, but praise God, they were able to complete the procedure in only 13 hours. The lower part of my jaw bone where the tumor was located was completely removed including almost all of my lower tooth (retaining only two, one on each side in order to hold the prosthetics) to ensure that the entire tumor was gone. To replace my jaw bone, I had an allograft from my right leg (fibula bone, flesh, and skin). A titanium now holds the replaced bone in my jaw. Since my right leg was opened and the bone, flesh, and skin were removed, another skin graft from my left leg was performed to cover my right leg.
3. While you were going through your treatment, what kind of support did you receive from your family? Friends? Relatives? Colleagues?
There are a lot of people that God used as His instrument to sustain me and my family during the trying season. They are all answered prayers, especially my college roommate, Shery Mae, a fellow pharmacist, who referred me to surgeons. She also accompanied me during my first check-ups. Also, Agnes, another fellow pharmacist, offered to let me stay in her house in Metro Manila while I was having my check-ups. Her family joyfully welcomed me, comforted and supported me.
4. What were the biggest challenges you’ve experienced throughout your cancer journey? And now that you have recovered, what are your reflections on cancer? On life in general?
Frankly, I can say that I can’t think much of the biggest challenges during that trying season. It was all faith in the Almighty. Because God made sure to keep me covered by His grace and truth, to be able to respond in the situation the way He wanted me to be. Up to now, sometimes, I can’t even fathom God’s greatness that we, as a family, were able to face that battle so smoothly. Undeniably, it was God all along who made it possible.
5. Is there any advice you would like to give to other young patients who had or recently been battling with osteosarcoma?
The hardest battles are given to God’s toughest soldiers. Stay strong! You are assured, secured, and victorious in Christ! There is power in the name of Jesus. Know that Jesus Christ is the great healer and the father of life. By His stripes, you are healed. He has you in the Palms of His hands. Hold on to God’s promises to you, for He is a promise making and a promise keeping God!
Rhea Lopez
1. Tell us about your journey. When were you diagnosed with cancer? And how did you find out?
I was diagnosed with Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (L maxilla), year 2004. I just woke up one day with a numb sensation in my upper left lip which quickly progressed into a lump on my left cheek after a week. The lump continued to grow bigger so we decided to see an “ENT” (ear, nose, and throat) specialist. He then ordered for a computed tomography (CT) scan which revealed a mass. With that, he ordered for a biopsy. The result that came out revealed a malignant tumor.
2. What kind of treatment did you receive?
I had chemotherapy for a year — 3 months of Induction Chemo and 9 months of Maintenance Chemo. After the 3 months of Induction Chemo, I received Radiotherapy for 25 days, as well.
3. While you were going through your treatment, what kind of support did you receive from your family? Friends? Relatives?
I actually tag this experience as a blessing in disguise. When I got sick, I felt that the whole family was glued towards one goal — that is, to make me feel loved. I realized the importance of each member of my family and appreciated them more. It’s very heart-warming to actually feel and witness the sacrifices they had to go through just to assure me that everything will be alright. The love I received from my immediate family, up to my cousins, nephews and nieces, expressed in different ways, are all engraved in my heart to date.
I also felt and appreciated the endless support of my friends who encouraged me to go through the battle with much faith and courage.
4. What were the biggest challenges you’ve experienced throughout your cancer journey? And now that you have recovered, what are your reflections on cancer? On life in general?
The only thing that pained me so much during that journey was losing my hair. It was quite traumatic for me. I had a lot of things going on in my mind about how other people would see or perceive me, but I eventually got through it and even boosted my self-esteem with the help of my family.
Cancer really changed my life and my perception of life. Going through cancer made me stronger spiritually and emotionally. I learned to see everything in a positive light, knowing that things will get better in His time. I learned to accept every challenge in my life and see them as my mission here on earth. I believe that we are capable of overcoming whatever trial being thrown at us because it won’t be given to us in the first place if God did not equip us beforehand. Lastly, I learned how fragile our lives can be, and so from the time I got diagnosed until now, I try my best to live each day as best as I could and to never cease sharing His love to everyone.
5. Is there any advice you would like to give to other young patients who had or recently been battling with the same cancer that you have?
To those who are battling cancer, know that you are among the best fighters in the world. Find that inner strength within you and believe that ‘life can be better.’
*Prior to the publication of this article, the interviewees gave their full permission to reveal their details found throughout this article.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019, February 12). Cancer Prevention Among Youth. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention/youth.htm
Department of Health (DOH). (n.d.). Philippine Cancer Control Program. Retrieved from: https://www.doh.gov.ph/philippine-cancer-control-program
Roser, M. and Ritchie, H. (2020). Cancer. Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: https://ourworldindata.org/cancer
National Cancer Institute (NCI). (2018, January 31). Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.gov/types/aya
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). (2019, October 4). World Cancer Day. Retrieved from: https://www.uicc.org/what-we-do/convening/world-cancer-day
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). (2019, February 11). Global Action. Retrieved from: https://www.uicc.org/what-we-do/advocacy/global-action
World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/cancer#tab=tab_1
