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China virus spooks OFWs in Hong Kong, jacks up face mask prices

China virus spooks OFWs in Hong Kong, jacks up face mask prices

ABS-CBN News

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Updated Jan 27, 2020 11:11 AM PHT

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MANILA — The price of face masks quadrupled in Hong Kong, a top destination for Filipino migrant workers, as a deadly respiratory virus from China spawned alarm, a community leader said Monday.

The previously unknown coronavirus has infected over 2,700 people in China, left 80 dead, and was confirmed in around a dozen countries including as far away as the US, authorities said.

In Hong Kong, home to some 230,000 Filipinos, the price of regular face masks rose to about HKD200 from HKD50, said Eman Villanueva, chairperson of activist group Bayan's chapter there.

"Medyo naaalarma rin po (we are a bit alarmed)," he said of the Filipino workers in Hong Kong, who are mostly domestic workers.

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The new pathogen shared a genetic similarity with SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which killed hundreds across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.

In its previous outbreak, SARS turned Hong Kong into a "ghost town" where locals avoided public places even during weekdays, said Villanueva, who has been a domestic worker there for nearly 3 decades.

"Ngayon naman po, parang halos normal pa rin pero maingat ang mga tao, naka-face mask," he said.

"Obserbasyon nga namin, kung ikaw ay nasa public place... kung medyo mapaubo ka ng kaunti, ang mga tao ay nakatingin sa 'yo at ang dating parang gusto kang ilabas," he added.

(The situation here still appears normal but people are cautious, they're wearing face masks. We also observed that if you're in a public place and cough even a bit, others will look at you as if they want to take you outside.)

Authorities have yet to advise OFWs to stay away from their usual hangouts during their rest days, but have pushed back the resumption of classes to Feb. 17 from the Chinese New Year break, said Villanueva.

Hong Kong has declared the novel coronavirus a public "emergency" -- the city's highest warning tier -- and on Saturday announced ramped-up measures to reduce the risk of further infections.

Among these was a plan to turn a newly built but currently empty public housing block in Fanling into a quarantine facility.

Meanwhile in Singapore, which earlier confirmed 4 coronavirus cases, officials urged OFWs to monitor "almost daily" advisories from health officials and avoid crowded areas, said Consul Adrian Bryan Candolada.

Manila's health department advises the public to frequently wash hands and hydrate well to avoid getting sick. With a report from Agence France-Presse

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Unlocking the future of cancer care with Next-Generation Sequencing: Why the Philippines must keep up

Unlocking the future of cancer care with Next-Generation Sequencing: Why the Philippines must keep up

ABS-CBN News,

Catherine SC Teh,

MD,

MSc,

FPCS,

FRCSEd,

(Hon)FACS,

G.CIEHF

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Photo courtesy of the Makati PIO, file

In the last decade, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has transformed cancer diagnosis and treatment worldwide, offering deeper insights into tumor biology, treatment resistance, and personalized therapy. This technology allows for rapid sequencing of DNA and RNA, paving the way for more precise, effective, and individualized cancer treatment strategies.

However, in the Philippines, access to comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis remains limited, often delaying optimal cancer management.

As we push for world-class cancer care, integrating genomic profiling into standard practice is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

Understanding genomic testing: Comprehensive vs. Targeted Analysis

Cancer is a genetic disease, and molecular profiling is crucial in understanding its behavior. NGS-based testing can be categorized into:

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1) Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP):

• Analyzes hundreds of cancer-related genes simultaneously.

• Detects single nucleotide variants (SNVs), insertions/deletions, copy number variations (CNVs), gene fusions, and microsatellite instability (MSI).

• Ideal for hard-to-treat cancers, double primaries, and recurrent disease.

2) Targeted or Focused Genetic Analysis:

• Examines only a select number of genes known to drive specific cancers.

• Used for single mutations like EGFR in lung cancer or BRCA1/2 in breast/ovarian cancers.

• Limited in scope but useful for quick decision-making when a specific mutation is suspected.

The role of ctDNA and cfDNA in precision oncology

1) Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA): Fragments of DNA released into the bloodstream by both normal and cancer cells.

2) Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA): A subset of cfDNA derived specifically from cancer cells, carrying tumor-specific mutations.

These liquid biopsy techniques have transformed oncology by providing real-time tumor profiling without the need for invasive biopsies.

Their applications include:

✔ Early Detection – Identifying molecular changes before a tumor is visible on imaging.


✔ Monitoring Treatment Response – Tracking tumor evolution in real-time and detecting resistance mutations.


✔ Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Detection – Identifying microscopic cancer cells post- treatment to predict recurrence.


✔ Guiding Therapy Selection – Identifying actionable mutations for targeted therapy or immunotherapy.


✔ Surveillance – Early detection of metastasis or recurrence in high-risk patients.

Why these technologies must be accessible in the Philippines

Despite its clinical value, comprehensive genomic profiling and liquid biopsy remain out of reach for most Filipino cancer patients due to:   

1) High cost and limited insurance coverage

2) Lack of local laboratories offering high-throughput NGS 3) Limited awareness among healthcare providers

4) Data accessibility and integration challenges

Given the high prevalence of hard-to-treat cancers like lung and ovarian cancers, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and rare gastrointestinal malignancies, access to genomic technologies is critical in improving survival rates.

Using genomic data for risk assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic impact

1. Risk Assessment

• Identification of hereditary cancer syndromes (e.g., Lynch syndrome, BRCA mutations, APC

for colorectal cancer).

• Early intervention and cancer screening programs for high-risk individuals.

2. Precision Diagnosis

• Differentiating primary vs. metastatic cancers for double primaries.

• Classifying tumors based on molecular subtypes, ensuring correct treatment selection.

3. Therapeutic Impact

• Identifying targetable mutations for personalized therapy (e.g., FGFR inhibitors for

cholangiocarcinoma, IDH1 inhibitors, immunotherapy biomarkers).

• Predicting response to chemotherapy, avoiding unnecessary toxic treatments.

4. Surveillance & Recurrence Detection

• ctDNA monitoring allows early detection of recurrence, often before it is visible on scans.

• Liquid biopsies provide a non-invasive alternative to tissue biopsies in monitoring cancer

progression.

Building a genomic-ready cancer care system in the Philippines

To integrate genomic medicine into mainstream cancer care, we must:

🔹 Expand local NGS and ctDNA testing facilities to lower costs and increase accessibility.


🔹 Advocate for PhilHealth and private insurance coverage for genomic testing in oncology.


🔹 Strengthen clinician education on the utility of CGP and liquid biopsy in decision-making.


🔹 Develop national cancer genomic databases for better data sharing and patient stratification.


🔹 Foster research collaborations to establish Filipino-specific genomic data for cancer risk profiling.

A call to action

Cancer care is rapidly evolving, and genomic medicine is the future. As Filipino cancer specialists, we must push for broader access to NGS and liquid biopsy technologies to bring global standard cancer care to our patients.

The time to act is now. We must bridge the gap in precision oncology, empower Filipino patients with genomic-driven treatments, and improve survival outcomes across all cancer types.

--

Established in September 1936, the Philippine College of Surgeons is the country's premier organization of surgical professionals.

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