THE peso continued its rally against the dollar on Friday as traders positioned ahead of the release of US economic growth data by selling the greenback.
The local currency closed the week at P51.055 a dollar, up from P51.11 on Thursday. It opened the session at P51.20 a dollar, slid to as low as P51.21 and closed at its intraday high.
Trading volume climbed to $859.34 million from the $831.85 million.
“We saw strong dollar selling the whole day,” a trader said. “This is due to covering of position ahead of gross domestic growth data tonight from the US.”
The US economy likely expanded by 1.8% in the second quarter, according to a Bloomberg poll, from 3.1% a quarter earlier, dragged by trade tensions with China and tempered by strong consumer demand.
Another trader said the peso strengthened after the European Central Bank (ECB) said there was no risk of recession despite its broadly dovish tone last night. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal
UNITED Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) President and CEO Higinio O. Macadaeg, Jr. has resigned for “personal reasons,” the state lender said in an emailed statement on Friday.
His resignation will take effect once accepted by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
“UCPB would like to assure its clients and other stakeholders that there are procedures in place to ensure an orderly transition,” UCPB spokesperson Rona Gorayeb-Velasco said in the statement. “The bank will continue to provide and deliver its services to the public.”
Mr. Macadaeg was named UCPB president in 2016. — Beatrice M. Laforga
THE central bank on Friday said it had issued guidelines on investment activities of banks and quasi-banks.
In a statement, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said the policy-setting Monetary Board approved the risk guidelines on July 11 “to set out the regulatory expectations in managing risks arising from investment activities.” It didn’t provide a copy of the actual guidelines.
According to the statement, banks and nonbanks are exposed to a wide range of financial instruments including bonds issued by emerging economies, complex structured products and other tradeable assets.
Financial institutions must conduct due diligence before making an investment, it said.
Due diligence for new basic debt paper acquired for trading or short-term profit taking may be made at the option of the financial institution as long as the resulting positions from the investments are still within allowed limits.
The guidelines are meant to be applied proportionately depending on the profile of a supervised firm and its investments, since banks and nonbanks have different structures and ranges of investment activities.
“The new guidelines likewise take into account the lessons learned during the 2008 financial crisis and the relevant guidance set out in the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision,” it said. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal
NET INCOME at BDO Unibank, Inc. rose 54% in the first half to P20.2 billion from a year earlier on the back of its strong recurring income from core units and higher fee income, the lender said in a stock filing on Friday.
The bank also traced higher earnings to normalized trading and foreign exchange gains. It did not provide second quarter financial figures.
BDO shares fell by 2.4% or P3.70 to P148.20 each at the close of trading.
The lender’s net interest income rose by 24% to P56.9 billion as net interest margins increased to 3.99% from 3.5% a year earlier.
BDO said consumer loans rose by 7% to P2 trillion.
Meanwhile, its gross nonperforming loan ratio stayed at 1.2% while its bad loan cover was at 163.2%.
Deposits increased by 3% to P2.4 trillion as clients shifted to higher-yielding fixed income investments, primarily bank-issued bonds.
Non-interest income went up by 29% to P29.5 billion as fee-based income and insurance premiums posted double-digit growth.
Provisions reached P3 billion as BDO maintained its conservative credit and provisioning policies. — Beatrice M. Laforga
METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co.’s (Metrobank) net income in the second quarter rose 15.5% to P6.48 billion from a year earlier, buoyed by sustained loan and margin growth as well as fee-based profit, the lender said in a statement to the stock exchange on Friday.
This brings the bank’s second-quarter earnings to P13 billion, 18% higher than a year earlier. Metrobank shares fell five centavos to P75 each at Friday’s close.
“We anticipate that the second half will bring even better opportunities as government spending on infrastructure projects continues to accelerate,” Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee said in the statement. “We will continue to make strategic investments in key areas of people and technology so we can deliver more meaningful banking experiences to all our customers.”
Metrobank traced higher earnings to double-digit growth in operating income. Net interest income grew 10% to P36.5 billion, accounting for almost three-quarters of the banks P50.2 billion revenue.
Net interest margin improved six points to 3.83%. Loans and receivables reached P1.4 trillion, 6% higher year on year, while its nonperforming loan ratio was at 1.5%.
Metro bank said credit demand was broad-based, with both the commercial and consumer segments posting mid- single-digit growth from a year earlier.
Metrobank’s deposits rose to P1.62 trillion as of end-June from P1.56 trilion a year earlier. The lender’s consolidated assets stood at P2.3 trillion as of end-June from P2.2 trillion a year ago. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal
LOCAL EQUITIES capped three weeks of increase on Friday, as investor appetite waned ahead of the United States Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision next week.
The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell by 88.19 points or 1.06% to close at 8,183.99 on Friday — down 1.04% on the week — while the broader all shares index dropped 38.24 points or 0.76% to 4,955.50.
Only one of the six sectoral indices ended with gains, and overseas investors reverted to selling mode after seesawing between net buying and net selling for much of the week.
“Local shares slid, alongside regional markets as investors worried that the Federal Reserve will not be as dovish as expected in its monetary policy announcement next week following strong economic data and remarks from the top European Central Bank official,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a mobile phone message.
The US Federal Open Market Committee, which is scheduled to meet on July 30-31 for its next monetary policy review, is expected to either steady benchmark interest rates or cut them by 25 basis points.
Wall Street closed lower overnight in the wake of disappointing quarterly earnings results, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down by 0.47% or 128.99 points to 27,140.98, the S&P 500 index retreating by 0.53% or 15.89 points to 3,003.67, while the Nasdaq Composite index gave up one percent or 82.96 points to 8,238.54.
Asian indices ended mixed, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX down by 0.41% and by 0.4%, respectively; Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropping 0.69% and South Korea’s KOSPI giving up 0.4%; while the Shanghai SE Composite and India’s S&P BSE Sensex firmed up by 0.24% and 0.08%, respectively.
Back home, industrial was the lone sector that ended in positive territory, rising 0.53% or 60.58 points to close at 11,467.74.
The rest went down, led by mining and oil which lost 2.08% or 167.16 points to 7,870.97, followed by financials that shed 1.33% or 25.04 points to 1,848.49, property which dropped 1.22% or 54.02 points to 4,347.09, services which slipped by 1.06% or 17.79 points to 1,651.90 and holding firms declined 0.96% or 78.23 points to 7,999.12.
Stocks that advanced were nearly equal those that dropped at 91 to 90, while 58 others ended flat.
Papa Securities Corp. Sales Associate Gabriel Jose F. Perez noted that Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) was now the PSEi’s top gainer, following losses incurred in the past two sessions due to its acquisition of loss-making The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
“JFC’s comeback today may have been technically driven after the stock was oversold yesterday as shown by its RSI (relative strength index) indicator. Foreigners were net buyers of P287 million,” Mr. Perez said in an e-mail.
Shares in JFC jumped 6.78% or P16 to close at P252 each on Friday, topping the day’s list of most active stocks. The other four on Friday’s list of 20 most active stocks that gained were Robinsons Land Corp. (0.36% to P28); Ayala Corp. (0.31% to P983); Wilcon Depot, Inc. (0.25% to P15.94) and Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. (0.06% to P78 apiece).
Those that lost for the day included JG Summit Holdings, Inc. (-4.06% to P66.20); International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (-2.92% to P133); BDO Unibank, Inc. (-2.44% to P148.20); Manila Electric Co. (-2.39% to P375); Ayala Land, Inc. (-2.28% to P51.35) and PLDT, Inc. (-2.16% to P1,135).
Some 1.227 billion shares worth P5.903 billion switched hands, compared to Thursday’s 894.307 million issues worth P8.274 billion.
Friday saw P278.021 million net foreign buying, against Thursday’s net foreign inflows of P124.457 million. — Arra B. Francia
In July 27, 2015, two curvy, food-loving ladies Dianne Manalansan and Chef Carvyna Alvarez got together and decided to create a hangout where families and friends can enjoy their own versions of classic personal favorites: a broad selection of comfort food combining Filipino and Western flavours into their own signature cuisine.
Walk into one of their stores and the “feel good” vibe immediately floods your senses. What with their perky greeting of “Hi, Sexy Guest!”, inspirational quotes hanging on the walls, and doodled messages drawn on the tables and ceiling, topped by a whiff of the aromatic steam and smoke coming from the kitchen, guaranteeing that you’ll have a lovely time inching your way across that plate you’re about to order.
Four years and three branches later, with their home branch situated along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City, another one at The Block in SM North EDSA, and a third one in SM City Telabastagan —a town in San Fernando, Pampanga, Chubs is positioning itself to boldly own the title “Pambansang Steak.”
“We pride ourselves in being one of very few places that offer affordably priced steaks, ribs, and roasts cooked Western-style, served in a uniquely Filipino way with our sweet and tangy sauce options, and side dishes that capture the Pinoy palate,” says Chef Alvarez.
From July 26 to 27, as they celebrate their fourth anniversary, Chubs Chasers offers 40% off of the total bill for two days, to say thanks and give back the love to their “Sexy Guests,” and let more people experience the whole menu that will make your mouths agree that #ChubbyIsDelicious.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor and Monetary Board Chairman Benjamin E. Diokno (right) presents to Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo (3rd from left) the award for “Outstanding Credit Surety Fund (CSF) Lending Bank” during the 16th Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for BSP Stakeholders last July 10, 2019 at the BSP Complex in Manila. LANDBANK was also cited as “Digital Trailblazer in Financial Services.” Joining them are Monetary Board Member V. Bruce J. Tolentino (left) and LANDBANK Strategic Planning Group Head FVP Elcid C. Pangilinan.
With the theme “One Team One Goal: Resilient Partnership Towards Inclusive Economic Growth,” the BSP Awards recognized its outstanding partners that have supported its various initiatives and advocacy programs in 2018. The BSP-initiated CSF Program is a credit enhancement scheme to improve the bankability and credit worthiness of microenterprises and SMEs, including cooperatives, which often face difficulty in obtaining loans from banks due to lack of collaterals, credit knowledge, and credit records.
The Medical City’s Augusto P. Sarmiento Cancer Institute
By Mark Louis F. Ferrolino, Special Features Writer
Over the past years, cancer incidence has been steadily increasing, and is ranked as one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines. According to the Department of Health, four Filipinos die of cancer every hour, which translates to nearly 100 every day.
One key player helping curb this alarming epidemic is Augusto P. Sarmiento Cancer Institute (APSCI) of The Medical City (TMC), a premier health institution with more than 50 years of experience in hospital operation and administration in the establishment of its world-class health care organization.
Named after TMC’s chairman emeritus and one of the country’s top surgical oncologists, Dr. Augusto P. Sarmiento, APSCI raises the standard of cancer care with its set of advanced medical equipment and technologies, and top-notch cancer care professionals.
According to Dr. Beatrice J. Tiangco, member of the board of directors of TMC and consultant director of APSCI, the APSCI is barely a one-year-old cancer institute, inaugurated in August last year, although the TMC has been offering cancer programs and services as early as 2005 through its cancer center.
“The difference between a cancer center and the cancer institute is the presence of not just service, but also training and research in the latter,” Dr. Tiangco told BusinessWorld in an interview, adding that researches resulted in various developments that aim to improve the quality of life of cancer patients.
The APSCI adopts a unique multidisciplinary team approach to cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and management. As Dr. Tiangco explained, they guide the patient from beginning to end through effective collaboration with various oncology practitioners with different specialties. With a full appreciation that no two individuals are alike, the institute also applies individualized approach to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer based on the patient’s profile at the molecular level.
In addition to these attributes, what sets APSCI apart from other cancer institutions, according to Dr. Tiangco, is its patient-centered care.
“It’s about putting the patient ahead of your own career, of your own earnings, of your own practice. It is also being humble enough to understand and realize that you don’t know everything and that you need help from your other colleagues, other specialties, in order to help the patient more,” she said.
The APSCI is composed of various units, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, that offer innovative programs and services. Its Breast Center, for instance, operates the country’s first Stereotactic Mammotome Breast Biopsy System, which allows computer-guided, minimally invasive biopsies.
The center also operates a newly developed form of three-dimensional imaging of the breast called Digital Breast Tomosynthesis, which offers a clearer and more accurate view compared to digital mammography alone.
The Colorectal Unit, on the other hand, is capable of treating all stages of colorectal cancer with the use of advanced endoscopic and minimally invasive techniques for early stage disease, as well as appropriate aggressive surgery for advanced metastatic disease.
For cases of cervical cancer, the Women’sEndometrium, Cervix and Ovaries (ECO) Clinic offers screening through Pap test and HPV DNA Test; diagnosis through colposcopy and examination of the cervix; limited, non-invasive cancer treatment through loop electrosurgical excision procedure, cryosurgery, and hysterectomy; and invasive cancer treatment through radical hysterectomy, external beam radiation, brachytherapy, and chemotherapy.
Meanwhile, for all stages of liver cancer, TMC’s Center for Liver Disease Management and Transplantation offers different treatment options which include surgery, local ablation, locoregional therapy, systemic therapy, and palliative care.
The APSCI also offers lung cancer screening through low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan; smoking cessation and relapse assistance and prevention program; comprehensive range of options for diagnosis such as bronchoscopy, transthoracic biopsy, and surgical biopsy; treatments that include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, and immunotherapy; and multidisciplinary approach and coordinated care for patients diagnosed with lung cancer to patients and family.
Treatment options for other cases of cancer, including those related to head and neck, brain and spinal cord, pancreas, prostate, and skin, are also available in TMC’s cancer institute.
While continuous developments take place in APSCI every day, said Dr. Tiangco, one recent and remarkable milestone the institute can be proud of is the arrival of the Intra-Operative Radiotherapy (IORT) and the Koelis machine for MRI Fusion Prostate Biopsy procedures.
Patient with doctor and staff at the PET-CT Center
The institute just also acquired the latest and most advanced PET-CT Scan machine, the Siemens Biograph MCT Flow with Flow Motion, that aids the assessment of cancer tumors, and helps its cancer care professionals to determine the most appropriate treatment option.
Aside from constant progress within the institute, Dr. Tiangco said that APSCI plans to play a bigger role in the community in the coming years. In this case, the institute, she said, needs to learn to work as a team not only within the TMC but with other hospitals as well, and even other parties including politicians, businessmen, educators and all other stakeholders.
“That’s the future, to be more relevant to the people around us,” Dr. Tiangco concluded.
High fuel prices are a constant source of stress and frustration for car owners. But there are several tried-and-tested steps motorists can take squeeze more mileage out of every liter of fuel they purchase.
One is to gas up with fuel products that have properties that help improve the fuel economy of a vehicle. Take for instance the fuels offered by the local independent oil company Phoenix Petroleum. These fuels are powered by the proprietary Phoenix PULSE Technology, an additive with advanced cleaning and protection properties for enhanced power and acceleration.
Launched early last year, Phoenix PULSE Technology provides a number of benefits. It prevents fuel filter blockage in vehicles running on diesel and removes deposits from fuel injectors, valves, and piston surfaces. It also helps protect the engine. And perhaps more important, it increases a vehicle’s fuel economy when used continuously.
“We enhanced our fuel products and improved our formulation… to be able to… add value to every peso fueled up at Phoenix,” Henry Fadullon, chief operating officer of Phoenix Petroleum, said in a statement.
Car owners will also benefit from replacing worn-out spark plugs, devices that produce electrical spark that makes the fuel burn. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, a US-based nonprofit, estimates in one of the articles posted on its Web site that a misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30%.
A Reader’s Digest article explains, “If your 160,000-km spark plugs have 130,000 km on them, they’re 80% worn. Misfires and incomplete combustion occur more frequently during that last 32,000 km, costing you hundreds of dollars in wasted fuel” — or, in the case of drivers here, thousands of pesos.
“Even if you have to replace the plugs one extra time over the life of your car, you’ll still come out way ahead. And don’t automatically assume your plugs are good for 160,000 km. Many four-cylinder engines require new spark plugs at either 50,000- or 100,000-km intervals,” the article continues.
Don’t forget the tires; keep them inflated to the right pressure. According to an article on fueleconomy.gov, the official US government source for fuel economy information, under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by roughly 0.2% for every 1 psi (pound per square inch) drop in the average pressure of all tires.
“You can improve your gas mileage by 0.6% on average — up to 3% in some cases — by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure,” the agency says, adding that the proper tire pressure for a specific vehicle can be found on a sticker in the driver’s side door jamb or the glove box and in the manual that comes with the vehicle. But it doesn’t recommend using the maximum pressure indicated on the tire’s sidewall.
Achieving higher fuel economy entails a practice as simple as not overloading the car. “An additional 100 pounds in your car can reduce gas mileage by up to 2%. The reduction is relative to the vehicle’s weight: smaller vehicles are more affected by increased weight than larger ones. For every 100 pounds in extra weight, plan on spending up to six cents more per gallon,” an article on Investopedia, an online source of content relating primarily to finance, says.
Turning off the car’s engine instead of idling can also increase fuel economy. “Contrary to popular belief, restarting your car does not burn more fuel than leaving it idling. In fact, idling for just 10 seconds wastes more gas than restarting the engine,” Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a US-based nonprofit, says. “An idling car uses between 1/5 to 7/10 of a gallon of fuel an hour. An idling diesel truck burns approximately one gallon of fuel an hour.”
Avoiding idling has another benefit: it helps keep the air clean. EDF says for every 10 minutes that an engine is off, approximately one pound of carbon dioxide is stopped from getting released into the atmosphere.
Finally, slow down. According to a guide available on fueleconomy.gov, aggressive driving — which includes the acts of speeding, rapid acceleration and rapid braking — can lower gas mileage by roughly 15% to 30% at highway speeds, and by 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. “Driver feedback devices can help you drive more efficiently, improving fuel economy by up to 10%,” the guide says.
The world of energy and fuel has been transformed by the discovery of oil and gasoline, a discovery that ushered in an industrial revolution and marked a turning point for history.
Nowadays, as that same world continues to turn and shift towards sustainable and renewable energy, gasoline and other conventional fuels serve as the bedrock by which society functions. While society may not be fully ready to use renewables as of the present, gas is still there to serve our needs.
That does not mean that you cannot promote a sustainable lifestyle while using gas. In addition to being more environmentally friendly, conserving gas is more economical in the long run. Something simple such as adopting better driving habits and behavior can not only ensure safe car travel, but contribute significant savings at the gas pump.
Here are a few ways to improve your car’s gas mileage.
Keep your car well-maintained. Part of responsible vehicle ownership are the regular servicing, tune-ups and maintenance. Keeping your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations will go a long way towards ensuring that your vehicle is always efficient and less wasteful. Even if your car seems to be in tip top shape, without regular maintenance, there can be no guaranteeing that it can give you the desired optimum fuel economy, performance, and longevity.
Be aware of major and minor malfunctions. In relation to the first point, always stay on top of minor problems before degradation makes them worse. For instance, you should replace a flat tire immediately, and make sure your tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires not only reduce your fuel economy, they wear down much more quickly. They affect the handling and braking capability of your vehicle, and can also pose a risk through overheating and sudden blowouts. Needless to say, engine problems should be addressed by an immediate visit to a repair shop.
Drive responsibly. On the road, efficient fuel conservation depends on proper driving behavior. Going too slow or too fast will be considerably more inefficient, while sudden starts or stops can greatly affect fuel consumption. Idling for more than a minute, meanwhile, is usually unnecessary and wastes fuel. Shutting off the engine is more economical.
If you are driving a car with a manual transmission, try to upshift as soon as you can without “lugging” the engine. Skip-shifting — for instance, going directly from first gear to third — could also be practical in certain situations.
Always be mindful of your energy consumption. A general tip towards being more economical and environmentally friendly with your vehicle is to always be mindful of how you use your fuel. Minimize the use of air-conditioning whenever possible, and turn off any auxiliary devices that are not in use. Moreover, keep a plan in mind of the most efficient routes to take during your daily drive, and avoid unnecessary trips. Planning trips ahead of time can also give you the benefit of saving time and allowing you to avoid high traffic areas. Simple adjustments like these not only ensure you maximize the use of your vehicle, but also provide you with a way to save money and contribute towards a more sustainable society.
Globally, cancer remains a serious public health problem affecting millions of men and women. According to GLOBOCAN 2018, an online database of estimates of cancer incidence and mortality in 185 countries compiled by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there were 18.1 million new cancer cases and 9.6 million cancer deaths last year.
What’s more, IARC, a specialized cancer research agency of the World Health Organization, estimated that one in five men and one in six women worldwide would develop cancer during their lifetimes, while one in eight men and one in 11 women would die from it.
“The increasing cancer burden is due to several factors, including population growth and aging as well as the changing prevalence of certain causes of cancer linked to social and economic development. This is particularly true in rapidly growing economies, where a shift is observed from cancers related to poverty and infections to cancers associated with lifestyles more typical of industrialized countries,” the agency said in a press release.
Cancers of the lung, female breast and colorectum (colon and rectum) were the top three cancer types in terms of incidence. In terms of the number of deaths caused, the leading types were lung cancer (responsible for 1.8 million deaths or 18.4% of the total), colorectal cancer (881,000 deaths or 9.2%) and stomach cancer (783,000 deaths).
In the Philippines, cancer is also a major issue not only because it affects and kills many people but also because treating it can be prohibitively expensive. According to the GLOBOCAN 2018 estimates, the number of new cancer cases last year in the country reached 141,021. Of these cases, 79,019 involved women of all ages and 62,002 involved men of all ages.
The five most common cancers, regardless of sex and age, were breast (24,798 cases or 17.6% of the total), lung (17,255 or 12.2%), colorectum (15,680 or 11.1%), liver (9,628 or 6.8%), and prostate (7,290 or 5.2%). The cancers that were frequently diagnosed in women in the country were breast, cervix uteri, colorectum, lung and ovary. Meanwhile, cancers of the lung, colorectum, prostate, liver and blood (leukemia) were the most frequently diagnosed in men.
In 2018, it was estimated that 86,337 died from different types of cancer in the country. The three deadliest types were lung (15,454 deaths or 17.9% of the total), liver (9,485 or 11%) and breast (8,057 or 9.3%). The risk of dying from cancer before the age of 75 for both men and women was 10.4%. Men, though, had a higher risk (11.9%) than women (9.1%).
Cancer has many causes, including genetic mutations and risky behaviors like smoking. But there are also viruses that can lead to cancer. Most cases of cervical cancer, for instance, are caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus or HPV, a sexually transmitted viral infection. It’s also widely known that hepatitis B and C viruses can cause liver cancer. (These infections have also been linked to a group of blood cancers called non-Hodgkin lymphoma).
But medical science has made great strides in improving cancer survival rates. Surgery is the main form of treatment for solid cancers, according to Dr. Beatrice J. Tiangco, member of the board of directors of The Medical City and consultant director of Augusto P. Sarmiento Cancer Institute.
Solid cancers are those that involve the organs, such as the liver, lungs and breasts. (For blood cancers like leukemia, chemotherapy, which entails the use of drugs to kill cancerous cells, is one of the primary interventions.)
But treatments may vary depending on how seriously a cancer has grown and spread. According to Dr. Tiangco, if a cancer is in an early stage, it might be better to take the surgical route. But if it’s in an advanced stage, chemotherapy might be employed first to shrink the tumor before it gets surgically removed.
“But how will you remove it if you don’t know you have it? So you undergo screening,” Dr. Tiangco said. Early detection can greatly increase a cancer patient’s chance of survival. “If you’re able to diagnose cancer early while it’s still limited to one organ, and you remove the tumor, you can be cured,” she said.
New forms of treatment have emerged, and one that has been garnering so much attention is immunotherapy. This treatment harnesses the body’s immune system to combat cancer.
Dr. Tiangco emphasized the need to work together with a cancer patient on what should be done — for instance, what particular treatment to pursue — to achieve cure or at least extend life.
There are also steps one can take to reduce the risk of developing cancer. Dr. Tiangco suggests getting a vaccine for hepatitis B (for both males and females) and for HPV (for females). “Don’t smoke, don’t even start. You can drink alcohol but in moderation. Be fit. Exercise regularly, three to five times a week, for 60 to 90 minutes. These are things that anyone can do for free,” she added.
