MALUBHANG nasugatan ang 33-anyos na truck driver matapos saksakin ng nakaalitang e-trike driver sa kalsada sa Malabon City, kamakalawa ng gabi.

Inoobserbahan sa Caloocan City Medical Center sanhi ng tinamong saksak sa kanang braso at ibabang bahagi ng kanang dibdib ang biktimang si alyas “Jojo’, 33 ng Parola Compound, Area B Gate 13, Tondo Manila.

Pinaghahanap naman ng mga tauhan ng Malabon Police Sub-Station 2 ang suspek na si alyas “Maui”, 31 ng Concepcion St., Brgy. Tugatog.

Sa imbestigasyon nina PSSg Bengie Nalogoc at PSSg Michael Oben, dakong alas-9:50 ng gabi, minamaneho ng biktima ang isang Fuso Truck sa kahabaan ng M.H. Del Pilar St., Brgy. Tugatog nang businahan niya ang suspek na nagmamaneho ng E-trike at binabagtas din ang nasabing lugar para maiwasan ang posibleng banggaan.

Nagalit ang suspek at nauwi ang mga ito sa komprontasyon kung kaya bumaba ang biktima sa kanyang saksakyan subalit, nang pabalik na siya sa truck ay bumunot ng patalim si ‘Maui’saka sinaksak si ‘Jojo’ sa braso at dibdib.

Matapos ang insidente, mabilis na tumakas ang suspek patungo sa hindi matukoy na direksyon habang isinugod naman ang biktima sa nasabing pagamutan ng nagmalasakit na E-trike driver. (Richard Mesa)

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the Philippines, with lung cancer topping the list for cancer- related mortality in the nation. This comes as no surprise as almost a quarter of Filipinos aged 15 years and above smoke cigarettes, increasing the risk of developing lung cancer.

The good news is lung cancer care has improved dramatically over the past decade, thanks to advances in early detection, innovative therapies, and increased understanding that lung cancer treatment is not “one size fits all.”

However, in the Philippines, many cancer patients may potentially miss the appropriate treatment, probably foregoing greater survival and quality of life opportunities.

To raise awareness on the value of lung panel testing and personalized treatment to achieve better patient outcomes, healthcare company MSD in the Philippines, launches “Hit the Mark” campaign through a health forum on March 21, 2024.

Along with partners from patient groups, medical societies, laboratories, and other healthcare companies, the campaign aims to drive equitable access to biomarker testing and other innovative treatment options for lung cancer patients in the Philippines.

Biomarker testing: The key to personalized lung cancer treatment

When it comes to cancer, no two experiences are ever the same, as each person’s cancer holds a unique pattern called biomarkers, or tumor markers, which may impact how specific cancer treatments work. Through biomarker testing, doctors can look for genes, proteins, and other substances that may provide crucial information about how one’s cancer behaves and, in turn, inform personalized treatment options for the patient.

Precision medicine involves delivering the appropriate cancer treatment to eligible patients at the right time. Access to precision medicine may lead to better patient outcomes, helping avoid ineffective interventions and hefty healthcare costs.

However, barriers that prevent patients from benefitting biomarker-driven cancer treatments persist such as logistical issues, sequential or no biomarker testing, lack of funding, and low awareness. Furthermore, as the precision medicine landscape is still relatively new, it remains fragmented, with siloed approaches that still lack standardization and understanding of the patient journey.

That is why during the health forum, Engr. Emer Rojas, a laryngeal cancer survivor and president of the New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP), emphasized the need for the full implementation of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) and the adequate funding of the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) so that more patients can benefit from accessible diagnostic and laboratory services.

For their part, Dr. Herdee Luna, president of the Philippine Society of Oncologists (PSO) and Dr. Jasper Andal, a pathologist have explained the importance of early detection in improving patient outcomes and overall survival.

Meanwhile, Melissa Ongsue-Lee, vice president of sales and marketing at Hi-Precision Diagnostics (HPD), has discussed how to make nationwide coverage for cancer testing possible through HPD clinics. For the first time, 3 biomarkers — PD-L1, EGFR, and ALK — in a lung panel test have been put together for the benefit of the patient.

Hit the Mark aims that soon, more partner laboratories and the inclusion of more biomarkers will ultimately help all eligible patients get tested and potentially benefit from precision medicine.

Driving equity for testing & innovative treatment through multi-stakeholder collaboration

Given the complexity of the precision medicine landscape, only an intersectoral multi-stakeholder approach including patients as partners can unlock and realize the potential of precision medicine for patients who could benefit.

The From Testing to Targeted Treatments Program is a not for profit, open and global community of practice dedicated to better patient outcomes by bringing to life the potential of Personalized Healthcare. As a collaborative program, FT3 is trying to identify potential collaborative solutions and replicable global best practices to enable more equitable access to precision medicine for those who could benefit. As a global convenor, FT3 is working towards local impact. To implement locally, FT3 brings these global learnings and resources to support champions who can apply them to the local context.

After launching its first two pilots in Spain and Hungary last year, FT3 is embarking on an important journey with the launch of the Philippines pilot program for cancer care. As part of its commitment to improving patient outcomes, this initiative aims to address critical challenges in accessing personalized healthcare. ###

KALABOSO ang apat na hinihinalang tulak ng illegal na droga, kabilang ang isang bebot matapos matimbog ng pulisya sa magkahiwalay na buy bust operation sa Malabon at Navotas Cities, Martes ng madaling araw.

Sa ulat ng Northern Police District (NPD), dakong alas-3 ng madaling araw nang magsagawa ang mga operatiba ng Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) ng Malabon police ng buy bust operation sa Phase 2 Paradise Village, Brgy., Tonsuya na nagresulta sa pagkakaaresto sa dalawang ‘tulak’ ng droga.

Nakumpiska sa mga suspek ang humigi’t kumulang 9.0 grams ng hinihinalang shabu na may sandard drug price value na P61,200.00 at buy bust money.

Sa Navotas, nabingwit naman ng mga operatiba ng SDEU ng Navotas police sa ikinasa nilang buy bust operation sa pangunguna ni P/Capt. Genere Sanchez sa E. Rodriguez St., Brgy., Tanza 1, dakong alas-2:01 ng madaling araw sina alyas ‘Ega’ at alyas ‘Wilma’ matapos bintahan ng P500 halaga ng droga ang isang pulis na nagpanggap na buyer.

Sa report ni Navotas police chief P/Col. Mario Cortes kay NPD Director P/BGen. Rizalito Gapas, nakuha sa mga suspek ang nasa 5 grams ng hinihinalang shabu na may katumbas na halagang P34,000.00.

Mahaharap ang mga suspek sa kasong paglabag sa RA 9165 o Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. (Richard Mesa)

UPANG lalo pang palakasin ang kanilang mga programa sa sports, pumirma ng memorandum of understanding (MOU) ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Navotas sa pangunguna ni Mayor John Rey Tiangco kasama ang Unibersidad ng Sto. Tomas (UST) na kinakatawan nina Dr. Jerome Porto, chairperson ng UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA), at Asst. Prof. Marcelita Apolonia, IPEA SIMBAHAYAN Coordinator para sa isang partnership na magtataguyod ng sports training sa mga batang Navoteño. (Richard Mesa)