In a world where health often takes a backseat to daily demands, Teresita Manalac Saez’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventative care. At 79 years old, this mother, grandmother, and now cancer survivor is a testament to the life-saving potential of regular check-ups and early detection. Teresita’s journey began with a routine physical examination. “The doctor found something inside, below my armpit, the size of a grape,” she recalls. “Then I had a check-up with another doctor, and they told me, “Oh, you have cancer!” This discovery led to immediate action – surgery followed by radiation therapy. Teresita’s experience highlights a crucial point; sometimes, standard screenings may not catch everything. In her case, it was a Pap smear that led to the discovery, not a mammogram. “No detection,” Teresita says about her previous mammograms, underscoring the importance of comprehensive health checks.
“It would have been better if she needed chemo instead”
The journey to cancer treatment was not easily accessible. The local health care provider was not equipped to do radiation which meant traveling to a hospital in Seattle to ensure she got the treatment needed. This meant leaving her immediate family and travelling out of Ketchikan, the only home she has known since immigrating to the United States.
Ruby Lorenzo, Teresita’s daughter, played a crucial role in her mother’s care. She navigated the complexities of the healthcare system, ensuring her mother received the necessary treatment. “I talked to the social worker,” Ruby explains, detailing how she arranged for her mother’s six-week stay at a facility near the radiation clinic, provided scheduling for meals, the frequency of treatment, and social opportunities to prevent loneliness. Ruby had to do this remotely while in Ketchikan, “because I still had my four young children to take care of here. I cannot just go, take PTO from my job, and leave my family to take care of her for six weeks.” The compounding demands of balancing family and health care are already hard but when the care requires you to be uprooted from your home and be displaced, it becomes exponentially more difficult.
Caring for someone as though they were your own is a common Filipino cultural trait.
During her treatment, Teresita connected with a support network of fellow Filipinos. “When I was in my room, they were giving me food, bringing me food,” she remembers fondly. This sense of community became a source of comfort during challenging times. Teresita created relationships with other Filipinos after attending church one day in Seattle. “I introduced myself during mass cause you had to stand up when you were a visitor to the church and when they heard my name and that I was from Leyte, the people behind me were shocked and approached me later,” Teresita shared. Teresita’s mother was a school principal in the province, and she came from a well-known family which established an immediate bond. These newfound friendships led to reunions with other classmates and reconnections with distant relatives and made the six weeks of treatment in Seattle less lonely and more manageable.
The need for comprehensive care is particularly relevant in the Filipino community, where cultural factors and misconceptions can sometimes deter women from seeking preventative care. Ruby notes, “They’re afraid to pay,” referring to concerns about medical costs. She emphasizes that financial assistance and other local resources are often available, urging women not to let financial fears prevent them from getting checked. In addition, many Filipino women, Ruby explains, are more comfortable with female doctors and face language barriers that can make them hesitant to fully express their concerns. Although interpreter services are available by phone, it is not the same as having someone in person to discuss sensitive topics. These examples shed light to the need for a culturally sensitive approach to healthcare.
Now cancer-free, Teresita continues with regular check-ups every three months. Her journey from cancer diagnosis to survival is not just a personal triumph, but a beacon of hope and a call to action for women everywhere. As Teresita approaches her 80th birthday, her story serves as an inspiration and a wake-up call. “Don’t be afraid of check-ups of your body” she states firmly, “You ALWAYS have to have a check-up.”
Remember, your health is in your hands. Regular check-ups, mammograms, and comprehensive physical examinations are not just medical procedures – they are investments in your family, your future, YOURSELF. As Teresita’s story shows, these simple steps can be the difference between early detection and a late-stage diagnosis. Do not wait until you feel something is wrong. Take charge of your health today.
“It’s good to try mammograms, but it’s just not only mammograms – it’s all your body. It’s physical.”
Contact your local provider at Peacehealth for mammogram: 907.228.7688
Local Ketchikan Resources:
Cornelia Pinky Brindle Cancer Resource Center 907.228.8830
First City Council on Cancer firstcitycouncil@gmail.com
In Collaboration With:
Ketchikan Kapamilya, Peace Health, and the Alaska Division of Public Health
Article & Photos by: Rafael Bitanga Interviewed by: Alma Manabat Parker
