MANILA, Phlippines – It’s the men’s turn.
The Department of Health (DOH) today announced that free digital rectal examination (DRE) will be offered to all males aged 40 years and above on June 14 in 27 DOH – retained hospitals and in 37 private hospitals in the country in conjunction with the worldwide celebration of Father’s Day dubbed as “National PaDRE and Men’s Health Day.”
DRE is one of the main screening procedures in assessing the prostate. Most Filipinos are still uninformed about prostate cancer and that vast majority of cases are detected in advanced stage. Screening among men is needed to detect the disease in its early stage.
DOH records reveal that prostate cancer is now ranked as the 4th most common cancer among males. According to the 2010 Cancer Facts and Figures, about 2,712 new cases are diagnosed yearly in the Philippines with an estimated 1, 410 deaths. The incidence rate starts to increase sharply starting at age 55. ‘Increasing age is most important risk and the number of Filipino males aged 40 years and older is the main reason for the significant increase and the expected continuing increase in cases,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona declared, adding that a substantial number of prostate cancer is very slow growing and may initially have no clinical impact.
The “National PaDRE” program started in 1996 as a project of the DOH and the Philippine Urological Association (PUA). The program was conceptualized in order to catch the attention of the Filipino male population and to increase awareness on prostate diseases, particularly prostate cancer.
Last year, there were already 64 DRE centers all over the country with more than a thousand patients examined and screened by urologist in a day. This year, activities include distribution of posters, a Facebook poster and slogan contest, press conference, fun run, and technical updates.
This year, all the 64 DRE centers will participate again in the said program. Urology residents, as well a staff, will provide the necessary manpower to identify and screen patients. This activity will be conducted at the respective out-patient departments (OPDs) of the different hospitals from 8am to 4pm. All urologist members of the PUA will provide free Men’s Health check and DRE in their private clinics on June 14.
Ona explained that patients who avail of the free DRE and need additional laboratory exams, such as the prostate specific antigen (PSA), the prostate ultrasound, and biopsies will be given requests for such examination. If such examinations are not available in participating hospitals, the patients will be referred to a diagnostic laboratory where they might be tested for discounted rates. Patients needing further treatment and check – up will be attended to at designated hospital and clinics. Eventual result of the treatment or management will be recorded and reported to the PUA.
“If you love your dad, bring him on June 14 to any participating hospital/clinic for a free DRE,” Ona concluded.
