Introduction

Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth. There are over
100 different types of cancer, and each is classified by the type of cell that is initially
affected. Cancer harms the body when damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form
lumps or masses of tissue called tumors (except in the case of leukemia where cancer
prohibits normal blood function by abnormal cell division in the blood stream). Tumors
can grow and interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems and they
can release hormones that alter body function. Tumors that stay in one spot and
demonstrate limited growth are generally considered to be benign. Cancers of the
female reproductive system namely cancer of the cervix uteri (cervical cancer), cancer
of the corpus uteri, ovarian, vulvar, vaginal, fallopian tube cancers, and choriocarcinoma
are an important cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cervical,
endometrial, and ovarian cancers are relatively common whereas vulvar, vaginal,
fallopian tube cancers, and choriocarcinomas are very rare.

I.Global
There were 14.1 million new cancer cases, 8.2 million cancer deaths and 32.6 million
people living with cancer (within 5 years of diagnosis) in 2012 worldwide. 57% (8
million) of new cancer cases, 65% (5.3 million) of the cancer deaths and 48% (15.6
million) of the 5-year prevalent cancer cases occurred in the less developed regions.
The overall age standardized cancer incidence rate is almost 25% higher in men than in
women, with rates of 205 and 165 per 100,000, respectively. Male incidence rates vary
almost five-fold across the different regions of the world, with rates ranging from 79 per
100,000 in Western Africa to 365 per 100,000 in Australia/New Zealand (with high rates
of

prostate

cancer

representing

significant

driver

of

the

latter).

There is less variation in female incidence rates (almost three-fold) with rates ranging
from 103 per 100,000 in South-Central Asia to 295 per 100,000 in Northern America.
In terms of mortality, there is less regional variability than for incidence, the rates being
15% higher in more developed than in less developed regions in men, and 8% higher in
women.
In men, the rates are highest in Central and Eastern Europe (173 per 100,000) and
lowest in Western Africa (69). In contrast, the highest rates in women are in Melanesia
(119) and Eastern Africa (111), and the lowest in Central America (72) and SouthCentral (65) Asia.

II.National
In the Philippines, cancer ranks third in leading causes of morbidity and mortality after
communicable diseases and cardiovascular diseases (Department of HealthHealth
Intelligence Service or DOHHIS, 1992, 1996) (1). Over the period 194296,
communicable disease mortality has shown a gradually decreasing trend, in contrast to
the increasing trends of heart disease and cancer (non-communicable diseases).
In the Philippines, 75% of all cancers occur after age 50 years, and only about 3% occur
at age 14 years and below. If the current low cancer prevention consciousness persists,
it is estimated that for every 1800 Filipinos, one will develop cancer annually. At present,
most Filipino cancer patients seek medical advice only when symptomatic or at
advanced stages: for every two new cancer cases diagnosed annually, one will die
within the year.
The Philippine Cancer Control Program, begun in 1988, is an integrated approach
utilizing primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in different regions of the country at
both hospital and community levels. Six leading cancers (lung, breast, liver, cervix, oral
cavity, colon and rectum) are discussed

III.Local
Here in Mindanao, Davao Doctors Oncology Center (DDOCCI) caters to majority of
cancer patients in the region. Over the past ten years, it has treated more than 3,000
patients. Based on DDOCI statistics (1999 to 2009), the top five cases in Mindanao are:
(1) gynecologic cancer (27%), (2) head and neck cancer (23%), (3) breast cancer
(15%), (4) metastatic cancer (10%), and (5) lung cancer (9%). Among cancer patients
treated, the male to female ratio is 1:2, of which 79% us above 40 years old.