Dr. Mars Imasa

16/06/2025

June is National Cancer Survivor Month 💪🩺

We’re halfway through June but it’s never too late to honor your incredible strength and resilience.

You’ve faced cancer head-on, navigating the difficult paths with determination and hope. Whether you’re currently in treatment, enjoying life after cancer, or continuing to fight each day, your journey deserves recognition and celebration.

As your medical oncologist, I deeply admire your courage and am honored to stand by you every step of the way.

Remember: surviving cancer isn’t just about medical victories, it’s about reclaiming your joy, dreams, and everyday moments.

Keep thriving. Keep inspiring. Your journey matters every day of every month.

24/12/2024

Wishing all my wonderful patients a joyful and peaceful Christmas season. May this time bring you and your loved ones happiness, good health, and cherished moments together. Thank you for trusting me with your care, and here’s to a brighter, healthier year ahead. Merry Christmas!

Warm wishes,
Dr. Mars Imasa

15/10/2024

Share with your girlfriends & loved ones! It’s October which is a Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 🎗️ Share awareness and encourage early detection. Reposting this to remind everyone of the importance of breast health. Early detection saves lives!

BREAST CANCER Part 2. Can breast cancer be inherited? Are there certain women who are more at risk of having breast cancer?

Breast cancer can be sporadic (something like a random chance) or inherited.

Only one out of every ten women with breast cancer has an INHERITED form. This form of breast cancer involves inheriting certain genes that are defective or mutated. The most common mutated or defective genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2. Normally, these genes play a role in fixing damaged DNA but this ability is lost when they themselves are damaged or mutated. If women in general have 1 in 8 chance of having breast cancer in their lifetime, women with defective BRCA1/2 genes will have about 50% chance of having breast cancer by the age of 70 years. There are at least 10 other defective genes which can increase the risk of breast cancer but are less common. The likelihood of having such genetic risk is increased among women having more relatives with breast cancer, the closeness of their blood relationship, and the age of diagnosis of their affected relative. An inherited form of breast cancer is more likely if a first- or second-degree relative is diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age.

Breast cancer in families is NOT ALWAYS INHERITED but may have occurred by chance or due to shared environment or combination of these, including genetics.

The more common form of breast cancer occurs by chance (sporadic). Although occurring by chance, the likelihood of developing this breast cancer is higher among the following:
1. Older women
2. Women with previous breast disease, either cancer or non-cancer mass
3. Women with dense breasts on mammography. A dense breast has more glands and tissues other than fat
4. Women whose breasts have been exposed longer to the female hormone estrogen. This happens with younger age of first menstruation, older age of first live birth, or older age of menopause
5. Women who are obese
6. Women who drink alcoholic beverages, and
7. Women who had radiation therapy to the the breast or chest before the age of 30 years. They may have received such treatment because of previous history of a lymphoma

Up next, how we screen for breast cancer based on risk, including genetic testing…

15/10/2024

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 🎗️ Let’s take a moment to raise awareness and encourage early detection through regular self-exams. Reposting this to remind everyone of the importance of breast health. Early detection saves lives!

What is BREAST CANCER?

BREAST CANCER is the presence of aggressive and abnormal cells in the breast tissues. These abnormal cells that we refer to as cancer actually originated from normal cells. These normal cells sustained damage in their DNA which caused their transformation into cancer cells. The DNA is the “blueprint” in our cells that directs how our cells look like and how they behave. The damage in the DNA is copied into any new cell produced when cells divide to replace the old dying cells. The damaged DNA may totally change the behavior of the resulting new cells causing them to become more active than usual, gain the ability to lump together and form masses, and also gain the ability to invade nearby tissues or even spread to distant organs.

In breast cancer, most of the cancer cells originate from the cells that line the surface of the milk ducts (tubes that carry breast milk to the ni**le) or the milk glands or lobules (glands that produce the breast milk). If they originate from the milk ducts, they are called ductal carcinomas, while if they come from the milk glands, they are called lobular carcinomas. If the cancer has not spread beyond the ducts or glands, it is called “carcinoma in situ,” but if the cancer has spread to nearby breast tissues, it is now called “invasive carcinoma.” Although mainly seen among women, men may also develop breast cancer.

In 2018, there were 24,798 new cases of breast cancer among Filipino women. The number of new cases increases each year and is expected to reach about 30,000 by 2025. Worldwide, 1 in every 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

What can predispose a person to develop breast cancer? How can we screen for breast cancer? Watch out for the next post

27/04/2024

Atm, Seoul, South Korea.

Thrilled to participate in the Experts' Meeting for the Pan-Asia Adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines on Oncogene-Addicted Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (PAGA mLung) representing the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology!

This meeting gathers top oncology experts from across Asia to collaborate and adapt the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines specifically for our diverse regional contexts. Our goal is to enhance and personalize treatment strategies, improving outcomes for patients battling this challenging form of cancer.

As we engage in in-depth discussions and share groundbreaking research, I am eager to contribute to and learn from this esteemed community. The opportunity to influence clinical practices and impact patient care in meaningful ways is both an honor and a profound responsibility.

We work together to push the boundaries of cancer treatment in Asia!

📌Hosted by Korean Society of Medical Oncology.

26/10/2023

Alam nyo po ba ang tinatawag na “PACK YEARS” sa Lung Cancer? Kung ikaw ay naminigarilyo, panoorin at pakinggan nyo ito! Kasama sa talakayan ang MYTHS & FACTS sa Lung Cancer kasama din natin ang napakabait na doctor na si Dr. Herdee Luna. Sa mga iba pang katanungan hinggil sa MYTHS ay maari kayong magkomento sa post na ito. Sisikapin namin na masagot lahat ang inyong mga katanungan! Salamat po!

20/10/2023

19/10/2023

Breast cancer might be a challenge, but early detection can be our strength. 🌹

Why Screen?
Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer in women globally. Early detection not only increases the chances of successful treatment but can also mean less aggressive interventions.

Empower Yourself!
Knowledge is power. By getting screened, you're taking an active role in your well-being. Understand your body, notice changes, and take action.

Every Woman, Every Age
While guidelines generally recommend mammograms starting at age 40 or 50, it's essential to be informed and discuss with your healthcare provider, especially if you have risk factors.

Support & Share
Encourage your mothers, sisters, friends, and every woman you know to prioritize their health. Share your screening experiences, provide comfort, and uplift one another.

Your health is worth it, and so are you! Consult with your doctor and schedule that mammogram, embrace self-checks, and let's stand together in the fight against breast cancer. 💖🌸

14/10/2023

The Early Lung Cancer Detection Program funded by the government aims to identify lung cancer in high-risk patients at an early stage to improve clinical outcomes.

General Objective:

To motivate high-risk individuals to join the Early Detection of Lung Cancer Program

Please share this information to those who might benefit from this. ✨✨✨

04/10/2023

It is World Teacher’s Day!

In this part of the world, Dr. Mars also celebrates 30 incredible and remarkable years in the academe!

Thank you for being a beacon of inspiration for all your students and mentees and for shaping the future of Pharmacists and Medical doctors.

Happy World Teacher’s Day to all educators!!! Most especially to our Manor Review Center lecturers! ✨✨✨

04/10/2023

It’s a good day to serve!

Dr. Mars serving you today at the PSMO Convention as a speaker focusing on the fascinating realm of Pharmacogenomics ✨

Always hopeful for a journey toward a brighter, more personalized healthcare future for you, dear patients! One gene at a time!
—
*Pharmacogenomics-the study of pharmacology (the science of drugs) and genomics (the study of genes and their functions) to develop effective, safe medications and doses tailored to a person's genetic makeup.

01/10/2023

Dr Marcelo Severino Imasa speaks to ecancer about lung cancer screening and treatment in the Philippines. Early lung cancer screening reduces the number of patients diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer. Thus, people who are high-risk like smokers or those who have a family history of lung cancer are advised to go for early screening.

Dr Marcelo Severino Imasa speaks to ecancer about lung cancer screening and treatment in the Philippines. Early lung cancer screening reduces the number of pati