Roco suffers from bone cancer

Cancer cells that originated in the prostate gland of Alyansa ng Pag-asa standard-bearer Raul Roco have metastasized to the bones in his lower back, his campaign manager said yesterday.

Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan said Roco’s prostate gland was removed in 1996 but the cancer cells that remained spread either to his pelvic or vertebral bone.

"What caused the (current) pain were the same cells… sometimes, some are left circulating in the blood. It took eight years before reaching the bone," Galvez-Tan said in a chance interview at Roco’s La Vista, Quezon City residence.

He, however, said the bone metastasis was detected at a "very early stage" so the American doctors who treated Roco were able to administer zolendronic acid, which Roco described as "intelligent medicine."

At a press conference yesterday, Roco reiterated that he is fit to pursue his presidential bid, as attested to in a certification issued by his American physician, Larry Hauskin of the Christus St. Patrick Hospital in Ryan, Lake Charles, Los Angeles.

"We are not hiding anything... Everything (is) contained in the medical bulletin issued by Larry Hauskin. He’s the head of the team as my attending physician. They’re in coordination with my Philippine physician," he added.

Roco said his illness will not prevent him from performing the functions of a president efficiently, should he be elected.

The certificate states that in April 1996, Roco underwent surgery "to remove completely a malignant prostate gland."

"The lengthy interval between Mr. Roco’s primary problem and his late recurrence predicts for a benign behavior of this problem in the future. After extensive tests, we confirm this to be so," the certificate read.

Hauskin said that "appropriate measures have been taken to assure Mr. Roco a speedy resolution of his symptoms so he can proceed unencumbered in the discharge of his duties as a public servant."

Galvez-Tan said Roco’s bone metastasis is "slow moving" since in other cases, symptoms — such as the chronic lower back pain that sent Roco to the United States for treatment on April 13 — can "occur after three years."

Galvez-Tan claimed that Roco had already been cured of cancer during his two-week stay in United States but he still has to undergo "maintenance" treatment of zolendronic acid on May 15 and every month thereafter.

He added that Roco’s Filipino doctors have coordinated with their counterparts in the US and stand ready to import the drug if the local supply runs out.

"The cancer cells on his bone have already been removed. He has already been treated. There is no way it can hinder his presidential bid," Galvez-Tan said.

Roco, who avoided discussing his ailment further, said he is not bothered by his condition and that Alyansa will continue with its campaign.

"After the extensive tests, they assured it’s controllable, it can be treated. It won’t be aggravated (by the campaign)," he said.

What Roco Faces

According to the American Cancer Society’s website, bone metastasis occurs when cancer cells that break off from a primary tumor settle in and start growing in bones anywhere in the body, but are mostly found in bones near the center of the body like the spine, ribs, pelvis and bones near the hips and shoulders.

However, the website pointed out that bone metastases are not the same as primary bone cancers.

"Primary bone cancer is a cancer that begins in the bone. Primary bone cancer is much less common than bone metastasis," the website said.

The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center’s website said that when cancer cells metastasize to the bone, they can cause holes, called osteolytic lesions, that can weaken the bones and increase the risk of breakage.

Bone metastasis is one of the most frequent causes of pain in people with cancer. It can also cause hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels because calcium is released from damaged bones) and other complications that can lower the person’s ability to maintain their usual activities and lifestyle, according to the American Cancer Society.

The zolendronic acid used to treat Roco helps reduce bone pain, slow down bone damage caused by the cancer, reduce shypercalcemia, and lower the risk of bone fractures.

The treatment with zolendronic acid is usually used to supplement the chemotherapy or hormonal therapy for bone mestastasis. If the treatment is successful, bone metastasis is not likely to recur soon.

The most common side effects of the treatment include arthritis-like joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and anemia, but studies indicate these symptoms may be caused by the cancer or other drugs the patient may be taking.

No Sympathy Votes

On the other hand, Malacañang officials said President Arroyo will not lose any sleep over the possible "sympathy votes" Roco may get out of her supporters on election day.

While expressing Mrs. Arroyo’s well wishes for Roco, both Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye and campaign spokesman Michael Defensor said they do not see any such "sympathy votes" for Roco.

"The President said earlier that Roco is a very worthy opponent and we need people like him who has been campaigning on issues. The more choices, the better for the electorate," Bunye said.

"But we believe that the momentum of the President is already there and this momentum will keep on going. What we’re saying is the momentum of the President will not be affected in a very significant way," he added.

Defensor, for his part, said they "are glad that (Roco’s) condition is better but we think the growing and expanding support to Mrs. Arroyo could no longer be stopped."

He added that Mrs. Arroyo’s lead in the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations was because the ratings of her chief rival, actor Fernando Poe Jr., went down, not due to Roco’s departure.

As this developed, independent senatorial candidate Heherson Alvarez said Roco’s plight underscores the advantage of an early cancer detection program in the country.

"The plight of Roco further stresses the need for early intervention and prevention carved in the Philippine Cancer Act that I pledge to pursue if I make it to the Senate. That law will help protect all Filipinos, regardless of their station in life, from cancer," said Alvarez, whose wife Cecile is currently battling breast cancer.

The proposed bill will focus on tests for the early detection of cancer, a "chemotherapy or dialysis now, pay later" plan for the poor, and a massive information and education campaign to raise the level of public awareness on all forms of cancer. — With Marichu Villanueva