Article by:
Ma. Teresa Montemayor
MANILA – Health authorities on Monday urged the public to strengthen awareness and preventive measures as March is observed as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
In an advisory, the Department of Health (DOH) said the campaign aims to increase public knowledge on the prevention, early detection, and proper treatment of colorectal cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the country.
Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum and usually begins as small growths called polyps that may develop into cancer over time if left untreated. The disease is more commonly diagnosed among individuals aged 50 and above.
Possible symptoms include persistent changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss and fatigue or anemia.
The agency encouraged the public to reduce the risk of the disease by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including eating fiber-rich foods, exercising regularly, keeping a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reminded members that colorectal cancer treatment is covered under its Z Benefit Package for catastrophic illnesses.
Under the program, PhilHealth provides up to PHP150,000 coverage for Stage 1 to 2 low-risk colon cancer and up to PHP300,000 for Stage 2 to 3 high-risk cases.
For rectal cancer, the benefit ranges from PHP150,000 to PHP400,000 depending on the stage and treatment required.
The package may cover hospital room and board, medicines, laboratory tests, surgery, and professional fees when availed of in PhilHealth-accredited facilities.
Early detection and timely treatment greatly improve survival rates and reduce complications from colorectal cancer, the DOH said. (PNA)
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