Dr. Maria Suga Dioko is a Pediatric Hematologist in Cebu Velez General Hospital. She is a volunteer consultant of our Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko program that extends medical assistance for the treatment and medication of children with cancer. Let’s read on as she answers some of our questions about this disease.
- What are the most crucial factors for survival for cancer patients?
Leukemias constitute around 80% of childhood cancers (will check exact stat later). And of the leukemias, acute lymphocytic leukemia constitute 85%. ALL is one of the first cancers that was proven to be curable with chemotherapy. For ALL, the most important factor that would determine the survival is the treatment protocol. But compliance to the treatment protocol is also affected by several factors. In our country, as with all the other developing countries, the most important factor that would affect this is educational level of the parents/caregivers. This educational status is not related to the degree attained but to the acceptance of the parents to the treatment. Economic status is also important but this factor was offset with the support of the different foundations and also with the improved philhealth coverage for childhood cancers. There are many patients, whose money is not an issue, however they are not amenable to chemotherapy, so they resort to alternative treatment. Alternative treatment has never been proven to cure any type of cancer. Those who claimed to have been cured because of herbal medications are all hearsays. I would always tell my patients (their caregivers) that I would stop practising medicine and become an apprentice to the albularyo if ever I see a diagnosed patient who got cured (not just in remission) with leukemia without chemotherapy.
- If patients are diagnosed with cancer, how soon should they get treatment? What would happen if they could not raise necessary funds for the treatment?
Cancer in any form is an emergency. The sooner the treatment is initiated, the better the chance for survival.
- Are the treatments and procedures needed available in Cebu already? How much would it cost and how long is the treatments?
In the ideal situation, to accurately predict the prognosis and to tailor the treatment protocol that will be used for the patient, the diagnostic tests such as flow cytometry and cytogenetics, are not available in Cebu. We need to send them to Manila. However, for the simple and typical cases of ALL, especially if the patient cannot afford, we do not need these sophisticated tests. And for these patients, (I’m speaking for myself here since most of my patients belong to the low socio-economic status), I use the clinical criteria to predict the prognosis and to tailor the treatment protocol. For example, one of the “bad” prognostic factors for ALL is the WBC count. If the patient has a WBC count of more than 50,000/cumm, I would give more intensive intrathecal chemotherapy and higher doses of high dose methotrexate in the consolidation phase.
URGENT CALL FOR HELP:The reality is that there are still more children who are in dire need of treatment. Further heeding the call of urgency, President and Chair of the RAFI, Jon Ramon Aboitiz, is targeting to raise an additional P6 million more (on top of the initial grant indicated in the MOA) to cater to the 20-30 children who are on the waitlist, P3 Million of which will be coming from him and his family. The goal now is to raise the other 3 Million pesos. This is our call.
Today , children with cancer are increasing everyday. If these children do not get the necessary treatment, they will NOT SURVIVE.
Treatment Package
The “Pangga-a sab Ko” Project provides treatment for children afflicted with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), broken down as follows:
- Medical
- Daily and Monthly Medications
- Treatment Procedures
- Intrathecal Treatment
- Laboratories & Diagnostic Procedures
- Periodic bone marrow tests, Complete Blood Count (CBC), and other diagnostic procedures deemed necessary.
The project also conducts at least two (2) psychosocial activities for their patient beneficiaries yearly, during birthdays and christmas celebrations. These include therapeutic games which help reduce symptoms of psychological stress, distress, posttraumatic stress and anxiety and help the children and their families live normal lives again.
How you can help
Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI) believes a world without childhood cancer is possible . Today, with your help, more children will be successfully treated. Be a LifeSaver.
Help us bring joy to children.
If you have any inquiries on how to help, please send us a message or you can contact us through our office or social media pages.
