ANTIQUE – A five-kilometer fun run will be held to raise women’s awareness on the importance of early detection of breast cancer, and to raise funds for indigents suffering from the disease, on Oct. 29 at 5:45 a.m. from the esplanade to Barangay San Pedro in San Jose de Buenavista town.
The Breast Cancer Awareness Color Fun Run started in 2018 but was shelved for two years due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, said Darcy Bungay, event organizer together with his sister Daryl Mae Bungay Abiera, a cancer survivor.
“My sister, as her way of thanksgiving for the early detection of her cancer, really comes home for the event. She would like to help raise public awareness about the disease,” Bungay said.
Participants may register ahead of the event or on the day itself.
“There will be a registration of P100 for the professionals and P50 for students who would like to participate in the fun run,” he said.
In a separate interview, Antique Medical Society member and breast surgery specialist, Dr. Marie Eugenie Bravo-Melgar said that every year in October, they also observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Early diagnosis is important so that the disease could be treated before it could spread to the lungs and the liver,” she said.
Melgar added that all women are at risk of breast cancer and had multi-factorial causes such as family history, late pregnancy, diet or eating food with more preservatives and saturated fat, and lack of physical fitness.
“Women should not be afraid to seek consultation early,” she said.
Melgar said the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital in San Jose de Buenavista provides free consultation and the needed equipment to discover lumps growing on the breast. (PNA)/PN
