A KICK TO THE CHEST WAS HER ‘DIVINE INTERVENTION’

their jobs and could not support their treatment,” she said.

ICanServe started like a support group for survivors like De Guzman, who wrote to the foundation in 2002, when she wanted to be with like-minded people who know firsthand what she is going through.

De Guzman said that when she joined, the foundation was like a “barkadahan,” although the organization was already at the forefront of the advocacy.

Now, ICanServe is more centralized and their programs are more focused. They have committees specifically working toward fund-raising and collaborations.

The organization has also seen more community members, with nearly 500 people from all over the world. But they are not exclusive, meaning they also provide help to other support groups in the province.

And it’s not just the organization that has improved. Even the treatment of breast cancer has seen advancement in the past years.

The American Cancer Society in 2018 cited a study that the common type of early stage breast cancer can skip chemotherapy after surgery.

De Guzman herself has personally seen the developments. She said that before, chemotherapy was done in the doctor’s clinic, but now, many hospitals have improved their facilities for cancer treatment—a big help for patients.

In 2002, when she was first diagnosed, patients were categorized only in Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4. Now, there is subtyping, paving the way for a more focused and supplemented treatment of the disease.

Genetic screening, an important test especially for people who have a family history of cancer, is also available now. However, this is still uncharted territory in the country, she said.

All these enormous strides are just proof that breast cancer is treatable when detected early, she said.

“We spread the word to everyone that cancer is not a death sentence. There are plenty of treatments available today. The members of ICanServe are thriving and surviving. she said.