ICANSERVE Foundation organized “Leading With Care: Building a Supportive Future for Breast Cancer Survivors,” a two-day workshop held on October 4-5, 2024, dedicated to supporting individuals at all stages of the breast cancer journey. From those currently undergoing treatment to post-treatment survivors, the event welcomed patient leaders, healthcare professionals, and supporters for a holistic exploration of thriving through and beyond cancer. Held in person at the Seda Hotel in BGC, Taguig, and streamed live on the foundation’s Facebook page, the workshop brought together participants from Patient Power Philippines, an informal alliance of breast cancer support groups, as well as ICANSERVE’s city partners for its flagship program, ‘Ating Dibdibin’.
Sponsored by AstraZeneca, Bio Onco, Roche, Novartis, Healthway Cancer Care Hospital, NutriAsia, MSD, and PHAP, the event aimed to expand the understanding of survivorship and supportive care beyond just following treatment protocols. Whether someone is newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or navigating life after it, survivorship is a continuous journey of learning to live fully despite the physical, emotional, and practical challenges of cancer. Supportive care plays a vital role in this journey, addressing not just the body but also the mind and spirit—managing symptoms, easing side effects, and promoting overall well-being. It’s about empowering individuals at every stage to take an active role in their care, ensuring they receive the support needed to lead fulfilling lives, no matter where they are in their cancer experience.
The workshop opened with a prayer led by Project Pink founder Melissa De Leon-Joseph, a special musical number from acclaimed violinist John Lesaca, and remarks from Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) president Jeff Dunn and ICANSERVE founding president Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala. ICANSERVE vice president Doris Nuval served as host, while San Juan City first lady Keri Zamora gave an inspirational talk on her breast cancer journey.
Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in a variety of sessions designed to meet their diverse needs. Dr. Don Dizon moderated a virtual session that provided insights into what survivorship truly means, discussing when it begins and the key components of patient-centered care. The mental health challenges associated with cancer were addressed by psychologist Lia Delgado-Infante and writer Alya B. Honasan, who offered strategies for coping with emotional hurdles during and after treatment. Financial navigation was also a critical topic, with Dr. Jan Aura Llevado of the Department of Health, Mr. Exequiel Sy of PhilHealth, and Mr. Romeo Marcaida of the Philippine Cancer Society providing guidance on managing the financial aspects of cancer care in a session moderated by cancer law co-author Chiqui Roa-Puno.
Participants learned about the importance of nutrition and lifestyle choices through discussions with Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan and Dr. Maricar Esculto-Khan, who emphasized how healthy eating habits can be integrated into ongoing care. The topic of self-care was highlighted with practical advice on managing lymphedema, hair care, and skincare from certified lymphedema therapist Francis Ciabal and Dr. Claire Habito, addressing the unique physical needs of those undergoing treatment or in recovery. Both of these sessions were moderated by fitness advocate Suzi Entrata-Abrera.
Professor Robert Newton kicked off Day 2 with an enlightening session on the benefits of exercise as medicine, exploring how physical activity supports well-being during and after cancer treatment. A panel discussion on palliative and hospice care, moderated by Tina Monzon-Palma, featured insights from Dr. Mae Corvera and Girlie Garcia-Lorenzo, emphasizing compassionate approaches to caring for patients in discomfort and pain.
Additionally, the workshop explored the integration of survivorship care into public and private health systems, with Dr. Madeleine Valera leading a discussion on ways to enhance support across sectors. This session brought together experts including Living Hope support group leader Melina Avila, PhilHealth’s Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr., Ruth Foundation’s Dr. Mae Corvera, and medical oncologist Dr. Claire Vega-Soliman, who shared their perspectives on the critical need for a multi-disciplinary approach to this topic.
The breakout sessions were a highlight of the 2-day event, allowing participants to engage deeply with the topics discussed. The enthusiastic participation of attendees led to meaningful insights, as they shared personal experiences and identified actionable steps for future improvements in breast cancer care. Each session chair presented key takeaways, setting a clear path forward to better address the needs of those living with breast cancer.
The final panel moderated by ICANSERVE spokesperson Bibeth Orteza had stage 4 breast cancer survivors Irene Lee and Marivic Bugasto and two-time survivor Betty Senador, who gave practical tips and inspiring lessons about years and years of treatment and survivorship.
ICANSERVE president Nikoy de Guzman was then joined by fellow certified Zumba instructors, who have organized the yearly I CAN DANCE, I CAN SERVE fundraiser since 2013, to close the event with a Zumba routine that got the entire hall of 150 participants dancing and laughing through the music and the exercise.
The Leading With Care workshop emphasized that supportive care is fundamental for anyone on the cancer journey—whether newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or in post-treatment survivorship. It was a meaningful step toward ensuring that every person affected by breast cancer can access comprehensive support and live fully at any stage.
A complete report and video recordings from the workshop will be available in January 2025 on ICANSERVE Foundation’s official pages, providing continued access to the valuable insights shared.
For everyone involved—as speakers, survivors, or supporters—the workshop served as a powerful reminder that working together is key to building a future where comprehensive care is accessible to all breast cancer patients, regardless of where they are in their journey.
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- Participants say ‘Ating Dibdibin’ on Day 1 of Leading with Care Workshop
