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Pertussis or whooping cough: 40 child deaths so far this year – DOH
MANILA, Philippines — Assistant Health Secretary Albert Domingo reported on Wednesday that as of March 16 this year, some 40 children had died of whooping cough — a respiratory infection also called pertussis. An increase in new pertussis cases nationwide had been observed nationwide, with 28 cases reported from March 10 to 16. READ: What.....»»
Comelec addresses vote buying, selling
The Commission on Elections has formed a committee with other government agencies in its drive against vote buying and vote selling for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October. In an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the different government agencies including the Department of Justice and Philippine Information Agency formed a “standing, permanent committee” to battle what they call the “modern cancer of society.” When asked what actions he will take against the standing culture of vote buying and vote selling, filing cases in the court is the solution to counter the unlawful offense. The post Comelec addresses vote buying, selling appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cato: Evidence vs Alpha ‘strong’
Krizelle Dianne Respicio yesterday snapped back at two people who had worked for her at Alpha Assistenza SRL, the company now at the center of a visa procurement scandal involving Filipinos seeking jobs in Italy. In an unsigned post that has since been deleted on Alpha Assistenza’s official Facebook account, the agency issued a statement denying Respicio had implicated her aunt, Arlyn Pangan, in any scam. Consul general speaks Pangan, along with Socorro Velasquez who is now cooperating with Philippine authorities investigating Alpha Assistenza, was tagged by some of the complainants as a “runner” for Respicio. Alpha Assistenza said “Ms. Pangan has denied making these statements written” by this reporter. Pangan, however, yesterday stood by her story that was based on her face-to-face interview with DAILY TRIBUNE and Usapang OFW last Friday. The consul general to Milan, Elmer Cato, had issued a statement in a report by TV Patrol on Sunday. “We have strong evidence to prosecute this case, through lawyers here (Italy) and in the Philippines,” Cato said, apparently referring to Respicio and her partner and co-CEO Frederick Dutaro. Cato has denied coddling Respicio and Dutaro and, in an earlier statement by the consulate, averred that they had been undertaking a “case build-up” against the couple’s company. DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega also met with the Filipino community in Milan to look into the cases of illegal recruitment there. To recall, Pangan said that she had agreed to help Respicio because she was family, adding that the Alpha Assistenza co-CEO also offered to help her facilitate her trip to Italy so she could get cancer treatment there. The second employee Alpha Assistenza also hit out at Jeffrey Villalon, the creator of its website who also approached DAILY TRIBUNE to “spill the beans” on the company which, he said, promised to bring him back to Italy at no cost to him. Alpha Assistenza claimed Villalon was never its “marketing manager” although he built the Alpha Assistenza website. “Our website had been under the control of Jeffrey Liwanag Villalon, who had been asking me for money and refused me access thereto,” the Alpha Assistenza post said. Respicio appeared on a news report by ANC’s TV Patrol on Sunday to deny all claims of illegal recruitment allegedly committed by Alpha Assistenza. “We vehemently deny that there were illegal activities perpetrated by Alpha Assitenza. I am not hiding. I am not escaping,” Respicio said. The post Cato: Evidence vs Alpha ‘strong’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cervical, breast cancer awareness stressed
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna called on all women residents of the city to be aware of the illnesses common to women as she pushed for the early detection of cervical and breast cancer. Lacuna aired the message as she was joined by Manila Health Department chief Dr. Arnold “Poks” Pangan, Vice Mayor Yul Servo, Department of Public Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire and Philippine Cancer Society Inc. program director Romeo Marcaida during the Intensified Cervical Cancer Screening for Manila City Hall employees held at the City Hall’s Freedom Triangle yesterday. In the said event, Lacuna described as “alarming” the fact that breast and cervical cancer are among the top killers in the country nowadays. She said that public hospitals have the capability to detect cancer at an early stage but lamentably, it is usually too late for many when the said illness is detected. As she also encouraged all female employees to have themselves tested, the mayor expressed concern over the increase in cases of cervical cancer, which is considered a “silent killer,” which manifests in its late stage already. The lady mayor urged all women in Manila to have themselves checked as she also called on parents to have their children aged nine to 14 vaccinated against human papillomavirus, the virus that causes most cervical cancers as well as some cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina and oropharynx or the back of throat including base of tongue and tonsils. She urged women aged 30 to 49 to have themselves screened for breast and cervical cancer where any abnormality may be detected at once. The post Cervical, breast cancer awareness stressed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cacdac to continue Ople’s projects
Newly appointed officer-in-charge of the Department of Migrant Workers, Hans Leo J. Cacdac, on Saturday said he will continue the programs that the late secretary Susan “Toots” Ople spearheaded in their department, and make sure that her vision for the DMW would be achieved. “Malaking gap… big shoes to fill ang kanyang iniwan,” Cacdac said in a radio interview. "She (Ople) set the direction that we will stand by and strengthen," Cacdac added. Cacdac was the department’s undersecretary for welfare and foreign employment before he was appointed DMW OIC. He also served as administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). Cacdac said the first task at hand is to defend the DMW’s proposed P15-billion budget at the Senate next week. He also plans to strengthen the P1.2-billion action fund for legal assistance to OFWs. “One of her (Ople) last public statements was that OFWs whose rights are violated will now be able to file cases and get justice," Cacdac said. Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople who died on 22 August 2023 also wanted a cancer fund established for migrant workers and for the digitalization within the agency to continue. In July, the DMW launched an app for OFW meant to streamline the processing of labor and overseas documents. Cacdac said the Saudi government has already formed a technical committee that would implement Saudi King Salman’s orders regarding OFWs with unpaid wages. The DMW has said that at least 10,000 OFWs who had worked for nine Saudi companies that declared bankruptcy following the economic crisis in 2015 would receive “full payment” of their pending wages. So far, Cacdac said, the Saudi government has assured them there is funding and resources for the payout. He added, though, that processing is still ongoing and that the Saudi government has not given a definite timeline on when the money will be released. “There is a challenge in determining who the claimants are and how the distribution will be done in coordination with the Philippine side,” he said. "Ople said last November that the Saudi government would “set aside two billion Riyals (or) about more than P30.2 billion to help our displaced workers,” Cacdac recalled. The funds will cover workers from Saudi OGer, MMG, the Bin Laden group, and other construction companies that declared bankruptcy in 2015 and in 2016, she said then. Ople, Cacdac said, wanted the DMW to feel like the home of overseas Filipino workers. The post Cacdac to continue Ople’s projects appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Creation of OFW cancer allotment eyed
Senators backed the suggestion to establish an endowment fund for cancer-stricken overseas Filipino workers dedicated to the late Migrant Workers Secretary Ma. Susana “Toots” Ople recently died due to breast cancer. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who chairs the upper chamber’s committee on health, has expressed full support for the creation of a cancer endowment fund, as suggested by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, that would greatly help cancer patients across the country. Go was instrumental in securing a P500-million allocation for the Cancer Assistance Fund or CAF in the 2023 General Appropriations Act of the Department of Health. This was after, he noted that DoH did not include any allocation for the CAF in its proposed 2023 budget. This concern was raised in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. During the National Cancer Summit in February this year, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology president, Dr. Rosario Pitargue, reported that cancer is now the third leading cause of death nationwide, with lung cancer as the top cause of mortality, followed by liver, breast, colon, and prostate. There are 184 cases diagnosed in 100,000 patients and 96 deaths related to cancer are reported daily. Based on the estimates by the Glocal Cancer Observatory, about 153,751 Filipinos suffered from various types of cancer in 2020, with 27,163 patients diagnosed with breast cancer, 19,180 lung cancer patients, and 17,364 colorectum cancer patients. Hence, Go is pushing to double the current allocation of the DoH for the CAF in its 2024 GAA so the government could extend assistance to more cancer patients. The post Creation of OFW cancer allotment eyed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US surgeons say pig kidney functional in human for more than a month
US surgeons who transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead patient said Wednesday the organ was still working well after a record 32 days -- a significant step in the quest to close the organ donation gap. The latest experimental procedure is part of a growing field of research aimed at advancing cross-species transplants, testing the technique on bodies that have been donated for science. There are more than 103,000 people waiting for organs in the United States, 88,000 of whom need kidneys. "We have a genetically edited pig kidney surviving for over a month in a human," Robert Montgomery, director of the New York University Langone Transplant Institute, told reporters. "I think there's a very compelling story that exists at this point that I think should give further assurances about starting some initial studies... in living humans." Montgomery carried out the first genetically modified pig kidney transplant to a human in September 2021, followed by a similar procedure in November 2021. There have since been a handful of other cases, with all the experiments running for two or three days. While previous transplants have involved body parts with up to 10 genetic modifications, the latest had just one: in the gene involved in so-called "hyperacute rejection," which would otherwise occur within minutes of an animal organ being connected to a human circulatory system. By "knocking out" the gene responsible for a biomolecule called alpha-gal -- a prime target for roving human antibodies -- the NYU Langone team was able to stop immediate rejection. "We've now gathered more evidence to show that, at least in kidneys, just eliminating the gene that triggers a hyperacute rejection may be enough along with clinically approved immunosuppressive drugs to successfully manage the transplant in a human for optimal performance -- potentially in the long-term," said Montgomery. They also embedded the pig's thymus gland -- which lies around the neck and is responsible for educating the immune system -- in the kidney's outer layer. Adam Griesemer, of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, added that this practice allowed immune cells in the host's body to learn to recognize the pig's cells as its own, preventing a delayed rejection. Both of the patient's own kidneys were removed, then one pig kidney was transplanted and started immediately producing urine. Monitoring showed that levels of creatinine, a waste product, were at optimal levels, and there was no evidence of rejection. No evidence of pig virus Crucially, no evidence of porcine cytomegalovirus -- which may trigger organ failure -- has been detected since the transplant, and the team plan to continue monitoring for another month. The research was made possible by the family of the 57-year-old male patient, Maurice "Mo" Miller, who was found unresponsive in his bathroom in July. Doctors determined he had an aggressive form of brain cancer, and would not wake up. "Though my brother cannot be here, I can say with confidence he would be proud of the fact in the tragedy of his death, his legacy will be helping many people live," his sister Mary Miller-Duffy told reporters. In January 2022, surgeons at the University of Maryland Medical School carried out the world's first pig-to-human transplant on a living patient -- this time involving a heart. He died two months after the milestone, with the presence of porcine cytomegalovirus in the organ later blamed. The donor pig in these experiments came from a herd from Virginia-based biotech company Revivicor. The herd was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a source of meat for people with hypersensitivity to the alpha-gal molecule, an allergy caused by tick bites. These pigs are bred, not cloned, meaning the process can be more easily scaled. Early so-called xenotransplantation research focused on harvesting organs from primates -- for example, a baboon heart was transplanted into a newborn known as "Baby Fae" in 1984, but she survived only 20 days. Current efforts focus on pigs, which are thought to be ideal donors for humans because of their organ size, their rapid growth and large litter, and the fact they are already raised as a food source. The post US surgeons say pig kidney functional in human for more than a month appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
When a growing chest isn’t muscle
Many men do exercises and lift weights to increase the strength and definition of their chest muscles. Enlargement in the area, however, can also be due to enlargement of the breast tissue, a condition called gynecomastia. Most men do not report any symptoms, but sometimes the enlargement can be accompanied by tenderness in the area and sensitivity when rubbing against clothing. [caption id="attachment_160533" align="aligncenter" width="619"] CONSULT your physician to get correct diagnosis.| Photograph courtesy of unsplash/alora griffith[/caption] Most breast lumps in men are usually benign enlargements. This can happen in just one or both breasts, and examination by a physician usually reveals a rubbery, movable lump can be felt just under the nipple area, measuring at least 0.5 cm up to 2.0 cm in diameter. If this lump is not felt on examination, the breast may be made up of mostly fatty tissue (also called pseudogynecomastia or lipomastia, which is due to an increase in breast fat and not breast glandular tissue). If physical examination cannot clearly identify between gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia, then a breast ultrasound or mammography should be done. While breast cancer occurs primarily in women, it can also occur in men. Male breast cancer makes up less than one percent of all cases of breast cancer, and is usually detected in men between 60 and 70 years of age. Male breast cancers are one-sided, non-tender, firm-to-hard in texture and not movable under the skin. These are also often found off to the side and not under the nipple. There can also be some dimpling in the skin like an orange peel. Certain hormones produce the usual traits seen in males (testosterone) and females (estrogen), but males also produce a small amount of estrogen while females produce a small amount of testosterone. Gynecomastia can occur when men have estrogen levels that are high or out of balance with testosterone levels. Gynecomastia can occur due to natural hormone changes at different times in a male’s life: Infancy. More than half of newborn boys have enlarged breasts because of the estrogen they received from their mothers while developing in the womb. The gynecomastia goes away at two to three weeks after birth. Puberty. Changing hormone levels can cause breast enlargement, but this usually goes away six months to two years after the start of puberty (usually from 12-14 years old). Mid-life and beyond. Men produce less testosterone as they get older. Older men also tend to have more body fat, causing an increase in estrogen. About one in four men between the ages of 50 and 80 have breast enlargement and usually have no symptoms. Men should see a doctor if you have: Breast tissue that is growing very fast A lump bigger than two to three inches under the nipple or a very hard lump that is off to the side of the nipple Pain and tenderness Nipple discharge in one or both breasts A lump on one of your testicles There are some other medical conditions can cause gynecomastia: Obesity Lack of proper nutrition Tumors in the testicles or adrenal glands Liver disease Thyroid disease Lack of testosterone Kidney failure Certain drugs and substances can also cause gynecomastia, including: Steroids Estrogens Treatments for an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer Diuretics (spironolactone) Medications used for heartburn (metoclopramide) Anti-fungal medications Herbal treatments that contain tea tree oil and lavender Excessive alcohol intake Prohibited substances such as amphetamines and marijuana In most cases of gynecomastia, treatment is often not needed. If there is an underlying condition, gynecomastia often goes away after treatment or once any offending medications are stopped. A medication called tamoxifen or anastrazole can also be used for a short while. If the breast enlargement persists despite these, surgery to reduce the size of the breasts can be done. If you suspect you have gynecomastia, consult your physician to get the correct diagnosis and to find the right treatment. The risk for gynecomastia may also be reduced by not using drugs that include anabolic steroids, amphetamines and marijuana, and by avoiding alcohol or drinking in moderation. The post When a growing chest isn’t muscle appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Geneva patient’ the latest in long-term remission from HIV
A man dubbed the "Geneva patient" is the latest person with HIV to be declared in long-term remission -- however he did not receive a transplant with a virus-blocking gene mutation like previous cases, researchers said on Thursday. But they stopped short of saying the man was "cured" of HIV, warning there was still a chance the virus could still return. Five people have previously been declared cured of HIV: the Berlin, London, Duesseldorf, New York and City of Hope, California patients. All had bone marrow transplants to treat serious cases of cancer, receiving stem cells from a donor with a mutation of the CCR5 gene. This mutation is known to block HIV from entering the body's cells. In 2018, the Geneva patient similarly received a stem cell transplant to treat a particularly aggressive form of leukaemia. But this time the transplant came from a donor who did not carry the CCR5 mutation, French and Swiss researchers told a press conference in the Australian city of Brisbane as part of an AIDS conference that begins at the weekend. This means that the virus is still able to enter the patient's cells. However, 20 months after the man stopped taking antiretroviral treatment -- which reduces the amount of HIV in the blood -- doctors at Geneva University Hospitals have not found a trace of the virus in his system, the researchers said. While they cannot rule out that the man's HIV will return, the researchers said they consider him to be in long-term remission. 'Magical' "What is happening to me is magnificent, magical," the Geneva patient said in a statement. The patient, a white man who chose not to be named, was diagnosed with HIV in 1990. He had been on antiretrovirals until November 2021, when his doctors advised him to stop taking the treatment after the bone marrow transplant. Two previous cases, known as the Boston patients, had also received normal or "wild type" stem cells during their transplants. But in both cases, HIV returned a few months after they stopped taking antiretrovirals. Asier Saez-Cirion, a scientist at France's Pasteur Institute who presented the Geneva patient case in Brisbane, told AFP that if there was still no sign of the virus after 12 months "the probability that it will be undetectable in the future increases significantly". There were a couple of possible explanations for why the Geneva patient remains HIV free, Saez-Cirion said. "In this specific case, perhaps the transplant eliminated all the infected cells without the need for the famous mutation," he said. "Or maybe his immunosuppressive treatment, which was required after the transplant, played a role." 'Promising' Sharon Lewin, the president of the International AIDS Society holding the HIV science conference in Brisbane, said the case was "promising". "But we learned from the Boston patients that even a single" particle of the virus can lead to HIV rebounding, she cautioned. "This particular individual will need to be watched closely over the next months and years." While these cases of long-term remission raise hopes that one day HIV can truly be cured, the brutal and risky bone marrow transplant procedure is not an option for the millions of people living with the virus around the world. It is instead a last-ditch attempt to treat life-threatening cancer in people who also have HIV. Alexandra Calmy, head of the HIV unit at Geneva University Hospitals, acknowledged that the procedure is not an option for most HIV patients. But the exceptional case of the Geneva patient "opens the door to ways to reach lasting remission in the absence of a transplant carrying a mutation," she told an online press conference on Thursday. Saez-Cirion said the case had also encouraged the researchers to continue studying innate immune cells, which act as the first line of defence against various pathogens, and could help control the virus. For his part, the Geneva patient said he was now "looking to the future". The post ‘Geneva patient’ the latest in long-term remission from HIV appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pill halves risk of death in lung cancer
A pill has been shown to halve the risk of death from a certain type of lung cancer when taken daily after surgery to remove the tumor, according to clinical trial results presented on Sunday. The results were unveiled in Chicago at the largest annual conference of cancer specialists, hosted by the American Society for Clinical Oncology. Lung cancer is the form of the disease that causes the most deaths, with approximately 1.8 million fatalities every year worldwide. The treatment developed by the pharmaceutical group AstraZeneca is called osimertinib and is marketed under the name Tagrisso. It targets a particular type of lung cancer in patients suffering from so-called non-small cell cancer, the most common type, and showing a particular type of mutation. These mutations, on what is called the epidermal growth factor receptor, or EGFR, affect 10 percent to 25 percent of lung cancer patients in the United States and Europe, and 30 to 40 percent in Asia. The clinical trial included some 680 participants at an early stage of the disease (stages 1b to 3a), in more than 20 countries. They had to have been operated on first to remove the tumor, then half of the patients took the treatment daily, and the other a placebo. The result showed that taking the tablet resulted in a 51 percent reduction in the risk of death for treated patients, compared to placebo. After five years, 88 percent of patients who took the treatment were still alive, compared to 78 percent of patients who took the placebo. These data are “impressive,” Roy Herbst of Yale University, who presented them in Chicago, said. The drug helps “prevent the cancer from spreading to the brain, to the liver, to the bones,” he added at a press conference. About a third of cases of non-small cell cancers can be operated on when detected, he said. Osimertinib is already authorized in dozens of countries for various indications, and has already been given to some 700,000 people, according to a press release from AstraZeneca. Its approval in the US for early stages in 2020 was based on previous data that showed an improvement in patient disease-free survival, that is, the time a patient lives without a recurrence of cancer. Osimertinib, which targets the receptor, causes side effects that include as severe fatigue, skin rashes or diarrhea. The post Pill halves risk of death in lung cancer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pill halves risk of death in type of lung cancer
A pill has been shown to halve the risk of death from a certain type of lung cancer when taken daily after surgery to remove the tumor, according to clinical trial results presented on Sunday. The results were unveiled in Chicago at the largest annual conference of cancer specialists, hosted by the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Lung cancer is the form of the disease that causes the most deaths, with approximately 1.8 million fatalities every year worldwide. The treatment developed by the pharmaceutical group AstraZeneca is called osimertinib and is marketed under the name Tagrisso. It targets a particular type of lung cancer in patients suffering from so-called non-small cell cancer, the most common type, and showing a particular type of mutation. These mutations, on what is called the epidermal growth factor receptor, or EGFR, affect 10 percent to 25 percent of lung cancer patients in the United States and Europe, and 30 to 40 percent in Asia. The clinical trial included some 680 participants at an early stage of the disease (stages 1b to 3a), in more than 20 countries. They had to have been operated on first to remove the tumor, then half of the patients took the treatment daily, and the other a placebo. The result showed that taking the tablet resulted in a 51 percent reduction in the risk of death for treated patients, compared to placebo. After five years, 88 percent of patients who took the treatment were still alive, compared to 78 percent of patients who took the placebo. These data are "impressive," said Roy Herbst of Yale University, who presented them in Chicago. The drug helps "prevent the cancer from spreading to the brain, to the liver, to the bones," he added at a press conference. About a third of cases of non-small cell cancers can be operated on when detected, he said. Already on the market "It is hard for me to convey, I think, how important this finding is," said Nathan Pennell of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation at the press conference. "We started entering the personalized therapy era for early stage patients," said Pennell, who did not take part in the trials, and noted that "we should firmly close the door on one-size-fits-all treatment for people with non- small cell lung cancer." Osimertinib is already authorized in dozens of countries for various indications, and has already been given to some 700,000 people, according to a press release from AstraZeneca. Its approval in the United States for early stages in 2020 was based on previous data that showed an improvement in patient disease-free survival, that is, the time a patient lives without a recurrence of cancer. But not all doctors have adopted the treatment, and many were waiting for the data on overall survival that was presented on Sunday, said Herbst. He stressed the need to screen patients to find out if they have the EGFR mutation. Otherwise, he said, "we cannot use this new treatment." Osimertinib, which targets the receptor, causes side effects that include as severe fatigue, skin rashes or diarrhea. The post Pill halves risk of death in type of lung cancer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Breast cancer drug shown to reduce recurrence risk
Even when the disease is caught early, breast cancer recurrence is relatively commonplace -- and for survivors, the prospect can be daunting. A drug developed by Swiss pharmaceutical maker Novartis reduced this risk by a quarter in a large group of early-stage survivors of the most common type of breast cancer, according to clinical trial results presented Friday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) annual meeting, offering patients new hope. The study of ribociclib, which belongs to a newer class of drugs known as molecularly targeted therapies, was described as a "very important and practice-changing clinical trial," by ASCO expert Rita Nanda, who was not involved in the research. The majority of the two million new breast cancers diagnosed globally are in the early phases of disease, defined as stages I through III. "The current standard of therapy for these patients is surgery followed by chemotherapy... or radiation, then followed by between five and 10 years of hormonal blockade by various endocrine therapies," lead author Dennis Slamon of the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center told reporters. But recurrence is as high as more than one in three people for stage I, and more than one in two in stage III, with the cancer sometimes returning decades later. The clinical trial involved more than 5,100 people with stage II and stage III forms of HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, which is the most common subtype, making up nearly 70 percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States. Half the patients received ribociclib -- marketed under the brand name Kisqali -- as well as hormonal therapy, while the other half received only hormonal therapy. They continued for a treatment period of three years. But the trial was halted early because a significant difference in outcomes between the two groups became apparent, and it would not have been ethical to allow the hormone therapy-only group to miss out on the more effective treatment. Overall, 7.4 percent of patients in the ribociclib group experienced a recurrence against 9.2 percent of patients in the hormone therapy-only group, which means an approximate risk reduction of 25 percent. "Ribociclib also showed more favorable outcomes in overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and distant disease-free survival," a press statement said. While ribociclib, which is already widely approved around the world, has previously shown benefit for people with metastatic breast cancer, the new study was able to demonstrate it also improves outcomes for people with earlier stages, including those with cancer that hasn't yet spread to the lymph nodes. The most common side effects were abnormally low counts of a type of white blood cell called neutrophils, as well as joint pain. Less common effects included gastrointestinal issues and fatigue. Ribociclib works by disrupting proteins in breast cancer cells responsible for cell division. Novartis plans to continue to study longer-term outcomes. ia/caw © Agence France-Presse Add to cart Print Download Share this document Copy the content The post Breast cancer drug shown to reduce recurrence risk appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate greenlights Regional Specialty Centers Act
The Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading the Regional Specialty Centers Act as 24 senators agreed to pass the measure, which is one of the priority measures in the Common Legislative Agenda of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. Senate Bill 2212, sponsored by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and authored by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, seeks to establish regional specialty centers in all regions of the country. “These regional specialty centers are a way for us to bring medical services closer to our countrymen, especially the poor,” Go said. The centers will provide specialized medical care, such as cancer treatment, heart care, and kidney care, to Filipinos who live in far-flung areas and will also be equipped with the latest medical technology and staffed with highly-trained medical professionals. In his manifestation, Go said that the passage of the bill is a “major step” in improving the country’s healthcare system, adding that the centers will “make quality healthcare more accessible to Filipinos, especially those who live in rural areas.” Go also thanked his colleagues in the Senate for their support of the bill. He said that the passage of the bill is a “testament to the commitment of the Senate to improving the lives of Filipinos.” The bill aims to establish up to 53 specialty centers throughout the country by 2028, in an effort to decentralize the services of specialty centers such as the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, the Philippine Heart Center, the Lung Center of the Philippines, and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute which are all located in Manila. Zubiri, meantime, stressed that the approval of the measure in the Senate is a “fulfilment” of his promise during last year’s campaign. Meantime, Go has reiterated his support for the re-imposition of the death penalty in cases involving heinous crimes related to illegal drugs as he stressed that there is a need to instill fear in criminals and highlighted the devastating impact of drug-related offenses on countless innocent lives and families. He added that the death penalty, if implemented, can be a deterrent to heinous crimes. Go said that there should be consequences for those who take the lives of others. The senator then highlighted the efforts of former president Rodrigo Duterte to combat the illegal drug trade and the ensuing problems it brought to society. According to Go, when drugs flood the streets, crime and corruption inevitably follow. The post Senate greenlights Regional Specialty Centers Act appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hundreds of millions of life years lost to pandemic: WHO
Nearly 337 million life years were lost in the two first years of the Covid-19 pandemic, as millions of people died prematurely, the World Health Organization said on Friday. The UN health agency's annual world statistics report also showed a swelling threat from non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. The most dramatic finding, based on data up to 2022, was the estimate of how many years of life Covid had taken, WHO said. The pandemic has wreaked global devastation and officially killed nearly seven million people, with the true figure believed to be closer to 20 million. The WHO report lays bare how the virus itself and the broader impact of the crisis abruptly cut short the lives of millions of people. While the WHO officially registered 5.4 million Covid deaths in 2020 and 2021, its excess mortality data shows around 14.9 million people actually likely died due to the crisis over that period. Even more striking, perhaps, it said the statistics show that during those two years alone, Covid resulted in the loss globally of 336.8 million years that otherwise would have been lived. "It's like losing 22 years of life for every excess death," Samira Asma, WHO's assistant chief for data and analytics, told reporters ahead of the launch. Off-track "Significant inequities underpin the distribution of Covid-19 cases and deaths, as well as access to vaccinations," the report said. The WHO warned that the pandemic had helped throw off-track many health-related indicators that had been improving for years. During the first two decades of the century, the world saw significant improvements in maternal and child health, with deaths falling by one-third and one-half respectively. The incidence of infectious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis and malaria also declined significantly, as did the risk of premature death from NCDs. Global life expectance rose from 67 years in 2000 to 73 in 2019. But after the pandemic hit, existing inequalities in access to high-quality health care, routine immunizations and financial protection deepened, among other things sending the long improving trends on malaria and TB in the opposite direction. 'Stark message' And while the world still enjoys health progress overall, the share of deaths caused each year by NCDs has grown, the study showed. In 2000, around 61 percent of global deaths annually were linked to NCDs. By 2019, almost 74 percent were. "If this trend continues, NCDs are projected to account for about 86 percent of the 90 million annual deaths by mid-century," WHO said in a statement. "The report sends a stark message on the threat of noncommunicable diseases, which take an immense and increasing toll," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. The findings, he said, show the need for "a substantial increase in investments in health and health systems to get back on track towards the Sustainable Development Goals." NCD deaths were increasing despite a reduction in exposure to many health risks, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption and unsafe water and sanitation, WHO said. Exposure to other risks like air pollution however remained high, it said. The report warned in particular that the prevalence of obesity was growing with no sign of reversal. The post Hundreds of millions of life years lost to pandemic: WHO appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Custody of children
Dear Atty. Joji, I have two grandchildren from my late daughter. They are both minors — a five-year-old and a three-year-old. A year ago, my daughter died from cancer and the kids were left in my care while my son-in-law stays with us. Recently, my son-in-law remarried and I am a little scared that they might take the children away from me. Can I be the guardian and custodian of my grandchildren? Thank you, Atty. Beth -------------------------------------------------- Hi Beth, Our laws determine that the right and duty to care and rear for children has been given to their parents. Particularly for small legitimate children, both of their parents are granted such a right and duty. Children are also required to respect and revere their parents. This is clearly expressed under the Family Code of the Philippines. Art. 209. Pursuant to the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being. Art. 211. The father and the mother shall jointly exercise parental authority over the persons of their common children. In case of disagreement, the father’s decision shall prevail, unless there is a judicial order to the contrary. Children shall always observe respect and reverence towards their parents and are obliged to obey them as long as the children are under parental authority. Should one of the parents pass away, become absent or unsuitable, the right and duty to exercise parental authority will be solely exercised by the parent present. It is to be emphasized the remarriage of the surviving parent, in case the other passes away, does not automatically strip off the former of the right and duty to exercise parental authority. It is only when it has been proven in court, he or she has become unsuitable to exercise such authority can another person be appointed. The specific provisions in the said Code relative to these are quoted below: Art. 210. Parental authority and responsibility may not be renounced or transferred except in the cases authorized by law. Art. 212. In case of absence or death of either parent, the parent present shall continue exercising parental authority. The remarriage of the surviving parent shall not affect the parental authority over the children, unless the court appoints another person to be the guardian of the person or property of the children. Art. 214. In case of death, absence or unsuitability of the parents, substitute parental authority shall be exercised by the surviving grandparent. In case several survive, the one designated by the court, taking into account the same consideration mentioned in the preceding article, shall exercise the authority. (Emphasis supplied) Applying the aforementioned, we regret to inform you that you cannot take over the guardianship and custody of your grandchildren because they still have their father. However, if you intend to lawfully exercise such right and duty, it is essential for you to file a petition for guardianship in court and be able to prove your son-in-inability law’s and unsuitability to continue caring for and raising his children if you want to legitimately exercise this right and obligation. I hope this helps. Atty. Joji Alonso The post Custody of children appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Vergeire faces graft case over cancer funds
A medical specialist at the Department of Health has amended his complaint and included DOH officer-in-charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire in the malversation and graft cases that he previously filed before the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the agency’s cancer program......»»
Bayer registered 2.7-billion euro loss in 3rd quarter on legal problems
Frankfurt am Main, Germany—German pharmaceuticals and chemicals giant Bayer on Tuesday posted another huge loss in its third quarter as it struggles to manage legal issues surrounding its glyphosate weed killer linked by plaintiffs to cancer cases......»»
Some facts you need to know about breast cancer today and always
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 1.38 million new cases and 458,000 deaths from breast cancer each year which makes it the most common cancer in women globally. Every year, October is marked as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in countries worldwide to support and help increase awareness, treatment and early detection […] The post Some facts you need to know about breast cancer today and always appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Contagious pertussis disease continues spreading in Philippines
MANILA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The contagious pertussis has continued spreading in the Philippines, where it has caused at least 40 death cases, after a province near the capital region reported an outbreak of the disease. In a social media post on Wednesday night, the Cavite government posted a resolution declaring the province under a state of calamity "due to the outbreak of pertussis" after logging 36 cases an.....»»
DOH: Pertussis cases 20 times more than last year
DOH: Pertussis cases 20 times more than last year.....»»