Cancer: Lung, Breast, Liver & Colorectal
Found early, treated better.
Lung cancer
- The top cancer killer; smoking is the main cause — including second-hand smoke.
- Warning signs: a cough that will not heal, coughing blood, chest pain, weight loss.
- A long-lasting cough in a smoker deserves a chest X-ray or low-dose CT.
- Treatment: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and newer targeted drugs.
Breast cancer
- The most common cancer in Filipino women; men can get it too.
- Check monthly for a lump, skin dimpling, nipple discharge or a change in shape.
- A painless, hard, fixed lump is the classic sign — most lumps are not cancer, but all need checking.
- Mammogram or ultrasound confirms it; early-stage breast cancer is very treatable.
Liver cancer
- Strongly linked to chronic hepatitis B (common in the Philippines), hepatitis C, heavy alcohol and fatty liver disease.
- Hepatitis B vaccination at birth protects against it for life.
- People with chronic hepatitis should have regular liver ultrasound and blood tests.
- Treatment ranges from surgery and ablation to targeted therapy.
Colorectal cancer
- Starts as polyps in the colon or rectum; removing polyps prevents cancer.
- Warning signs: blood in stool, changing bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, anaemia.
- Screening from age 45–50, or earlier with a family history.
- Early-stage disease is often curable with surgery.
Habits that lower cancer risk
- Avoid tobacco completely — including second-hand smoke.
- Limit alcohol; keep a healthy weight and stay active.
- Eat more vegetables and fibre, less processed and charred meat.
- Get hepatitis B vaccination and screen as advised for your age and family history.
Seek medical help urgently if
- A new lump in the breast, neck or anywhere on the body
- Blood in stool, urine or sputum, or coughing blood
- Unexplained weight loss, night sweats or lasting fatigue
- A sore, mole or cough that will not heal after several weeks
General information only — not a substitute for medical advice.