On November 13th, esteemed members of various medical societies as well as patient groups banded together to raise awareness about prevention, screening, diagnosis, and management of lung cancer in the Philippines. The event brought together specialists from the fields of lung health, oncology, and patient advocacy, aimed to foster a multi-disciplinary dialogue about lung cancer care. The experts who were invited discussed the critical roles of each specialty in the care continuum, with a particular focus on optimizing treatment strategies and early intervention to improve patient outcomes. They emphasized the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to lung cancer care and talked about the significance of each specialization in lung cancer care.
Why a Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Lung Cancer Care?
In the Philippines, lung cancer remains a serious health concern. It ranks as the second most common type of cancer among Filipinos as well as the most prevalent type of cancer among Filipino men. In fact, in 2022 alone, an estimated 23,728 people were diagnosed with lung cancer, while many more remain undiagnosed. This statistic highlights the importance of lung cancer awareness, screening, and treatment in the country.
According to Dr. Janeth Samson, president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP), a unified or multi-disciplinary approach is crucial when it comes to lung cancer care. She emphasized the importance of finding the right diagnosis, an optimal approach, and minimizing the number and invasiveness of procedures. “Hindi po lahat ng cancer pare-pareho ng treatment. We go to the procedure that will give us the best diagnosis,” she added.
On the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach, Dr. Josephine Lapena, President of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP), shares “Importante na alam namin ang sitwasyon hindi lang ng pasyente, kundi pati ng pamilya. We need to know what the family is dealing with. What they do, where they live.”
Dr. Joey Joson of the Philippine Society of Hospice and Palliative Medicine also chimed in and said “We address not only physical. We also address psychosocial, spiritual, and existential issues, and the family, too, na hindi na-address ng iba naming colleagues. ‘Yun po ‘yung puwede naming maitulong sa kanila.”
On the topic of early detection, Dr. Cyril Tolosa, Medical Affairs Director of AstraZeneca Philippines, shares, “Earlier this year, the collaboration of AstraZeneca and AC Health successfully integrated an AI-based chest x-ray tool into key hospitals within the AC Health network, allowing patients to undergo early screening for lung nodules and assess their risk of malignancy. This collaboration enhances the accessibility of advanced diagnostic technology and enables healthcare providers to offer timely and accurate evaluations potentially improving patient outcomes.”
Dr. Janeth Samson closed the program by facilitating the launch of the PCCP Lung Cancer registry, which will further provide a caring, efficient network for lung cancer patients and their families. “This registry represents a critical step towards enhancing the knowledge base and improving outcomes for individuals affected by lung cancer,” explained Dr. Samson.
