By Anthony Ian H. Reyes
A pink light illuminating a hospital building carries a message of hope for women facing breast cancer: their illness does not define them, and early detection can help them take the first step toward treatment.
The message took center stage during the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center’s (ITRMC) Pink October campaign on October 8, 2026, which encouraged women to prioritize breast health while recognizing the experiences of patients, survivors, and families affected by the disease.
At the ITRMC Heritage Building in San Fernando City, La Union, the pink lighting ceremony brought together healthcare workers and advocates to promote breast cancer awareness, encourage early consultation, and reinforce the importance of support throughout a patient’s journey.
More than a diagnosis
For women undergoing treatment, a breast cancer diagnosis can bring fear and uncertainty, making timely medical care and emotional support necessary parts of the journey.
ITRMC Chief Nurse Norberto Prepose, representing Medical Center Chief, Doctor Unity Cortez, addressed women fighting the disease with a message that went beyond their diagnosis.
“To every woman currently fighting breast cancer, you are not your diagnosis. You are stronger than the fear that visits you. You are more than the scars on your body, and even on the darkest days, there is still a reason to hope,” Prepose said.
He also reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to helping patients access appropriate care, emphasizing the importance of early detection, timely diagnosis, and quality treatment.
Early detection can save lives
District Chairman Julie Wong Lin of the Inner Wheel Club of the Philippines, District 379, highlighted the role of regular self-examinations, screenings, and medical consultations in helping women identify possible signs of breast cancer.
“One of the most powerful tools we have is early detection through regular self-examinations, screenings, and timely medical consultations. Lives can be saved,” Lin said.
Through the campaign, the hospital and its partners encouraged women to take an active role in their health and seek medical advice when they notice potential symptoms.
The strength of a support system
The importance of timely care and personal support was also reflected in a recorded testimony from a breast cancer survivor who discovered a lump in her right breast while showering in May 2018, at age 36.
She underwent a modified radical mastectomy, four cycles of chemotherapy, and 16 cycles of targeted therapy, describing how family members and friends helped her navigate treatment challenges.
Her experience highlighted the support system’s role in helping patients cope with the physical and emotional demands of cancer treatment.
Keeping hope visible
The campaign also included a candle-lighting ceremony and a moment of silence to honor people who lost their lives to breast cancer, while recognizing patients who continue to fight the disease and survivors whose experiences offer encouragement to others.
Lin said the pink lighting campaign represents not only awareness but also courage, strength, and hope, urging communities to work together to support women and promote early detection.
As the campaign seeks to keep breast cancer awareness visible beyond October, ITRMC’s message remains focused on encouraging early consultation, improving access to appropriate care, and reminding patients and their families that they do not have to face the disease alone. (CCMT/AIHR, PIA Region 1)
