Imagine if we could find cancer early, before it spreads and becomes harder to treat. In the Philippines, cancer is the 2nd the leading cause of death in the country, and common types like breast, lung, colorectal, and liver cancers impact countless lives. (1)(2)
For 2024, the numbers are clear. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Filipinas, making up nearly 17.5% cancer cases (3). For Filipino men, lung cancer is the most common, accounting for 12.6% of cases (3). Colorectal and liver cancers also claim many lives, with each making up 11.0% and 6.6% of cases, respectively (3). These numbers underscore a critical and urgent need for regular check-ups and early detection.
To address this, Gene Solutions Philippines and The Medical City (TMC) have launched the “Spot It, Stop It” campaign. The campaign, with its slogan “SPOT IT, STOP IT,” is a reminder that we can take control of our health. By spotting cancer early, we have a better chance of stopping it and improving quality of life for patients.
Running from August 19 to September 30, 2024, this initiative aims to empower people to detect cancer early through advanced SPOTMAS screening tests and exclusively for TMC employees will get 35% discounts.
What is SPOTMAS?
SPOTMAS is a multi-cancer early screening for asymptomatic patients, utilizing next generation sequencing to detect the presence and location of most common cancer in Southeast Asia.
The test is available in three versions:
- SPOTMAS 5: to detect the presence and location of five most common cancer – Liver, Breast, Lung, Colorectal and Stomach.
- SPOTMAS 10: to detect the presence and location in addition to five aggressive cancer types – Uterus, Esophagus, Ovary, Pancreas and Biliary Tract. These cancer types are notably do not have recommended screening methods yet.
- SPOTMAS 360: in addition to 10 cancer types of detection, this test also analyzes the risks of 32 inherited cancer types, cardiovascular genes relating to sudden death.
These tests help to detect cancer at its earliest stages, giving you and your loved ones the best chance at successful treatment. The “Spot It, Stop It” campaign is more than a call for screenings—it’s a movement. A movement to raise awareness, encourage early detection, and provide hope.
Together, we can spot cancer early and stop it in its tracks.
(1) International Agency for Research on Cancer. Global Cancer Observatory; 2020. Philippines Population Fact Sheet.https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/populations/608-philippines-fact-sheets.pdf [internet] [cited 2022 Apr 13]. (link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9971506/ & https://www.themedicalcity.com/news/cancer)
(2) Ho, F. D. V., Arevalo, M. V. P. N., De Claro, P. T. S., Jacomina, L. E., Germar, M. J. V., Dee, E. C., & Eala, M. a. B. (2022). Breast and cervical cancer screening in the Philippines: Challenges and steps forward. Preventive Medicine Reports, 29, 101936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101936
(3) GLOBOCAN Indonesia (2022)
(4) American Cancer Society Guidelines (2023)
