ILOILO CITY — When Amelia Arisola talks about cancer, she does not speak like someone defeated by disease. She speaks like a witness, a teacher, and an advocate — a woman who has turned a life-altering diagnosis into a mission to help others live.
For more than three decades, Arisola has carried a story that is both deeply personal and profoundly public. Now 78 years old and living in Barangay Buhang, Jaro district, she has spent years reminding women across Iloilo that vigilance, early detection, and courage can mean the difference between life and loss.
For her, surviving breast cancer is not merely a medical triumph. It is a calling.
“I discovered my cancer in October 1991,” Arisola recalled in an interview. “Since then, I believe the Lord gave me a mission — to share my story and help others.”
The Diagnosis That Almost Didn’t Happen
The discovery came unexpectedly during a routine annual medical examination when Arisola was still working at the library of the former Southern Iloilo Polytechnic College Zarraga Extension Campus (SIPZEC).
Ironically, she almost skipped the examination.
“I was shy during the check-up,” she said with a laugh. “I even told the doctor, ‘Doctora, you are tickling me.’ But I still went through with it because I knew I had a high risk.”
Her caution was not unfounded. Cancer had already touched her family many times.
“Out of 11 siblings, I am the only one left,” she said. “Many of them had cancer. That is why I knew I had to be careful.”
Looking back, she believes that moment — an ordinary medical check-up that she almost avoided — changed everything.
“Sometimes we discover these things by accident,” she said. “But that accident can save you.”
‘Cancer Is a Traitor Disease’
Over the years, Arisola has developed a way of explaining cancer that is vivid, simple, and unforgettable.
“Cancer is a traitor kind of disease,” she said. “It is very tricky.”
When she speaks in awareness forums, she often compares the illness to the zodiac symbol that shares its name.
“What is the zodiac sign of Cancer? It’s a crab,” she explained. “And what does a crab do? It hides in holes along the shore. When you try to catch it, it runs to another hole.”
“That’s how cancer behaves,” she added. “If you are not careful, it spreads quietly.”
For Arisola, survivorship is not a finish line. It is a lifelong commitment to vigilance.
“There is really no such thing as completely cancer-free,” she said. “You always have to monitor your health.”
The Hidden Cost of Surviving
Living beyond cancer brings with it a reality that many survivors quietly endure — constant monitoring and medical expenses.
Arisola undergoes regular medical examinations every year to make sure the disease does not return.
“Every year we are required to have complete blood tests, whole abdomen ultrasound, and breast ultrasound,” she said. “Then every three to five years, we also need a mammogram.”
These procedures can cost thousands of pesos — a burden that many families struggle to afford.
“That’s why I am thankful for government programs that help us,” she said, referring to medical assistance initiatives that provide financial support for patients.
She has seen firsthand what happens when follow-up care is delayed.
“I know someone whose cancer was only stage two,” she recalled. “But she stopped monitoring because it was expensive. When she returned to the doctor, it was already stage four.”
“That’s why I always tell people — you have to be smart about cancer.”
From Survivor to Advocate
Instead of keeping her story private, Arisola chose to share it — again and again — in the hope that someone else might listen and act.
Since 2001, she and fellow advocates have organized breast cancer awareness activities every October.
“We conduct forums in schools, with teachers, and even in government offices,” she said.
Among their most visible efforts is a yearly Walk for a Cause in Iloilo City.
“We start from the Iloilo Ethics Center and walk to the Provincial Capitol,” she said. “After that, we have Zumba so people can also enjoy.”
Their advocacy also extends to caravans that bring health information to communities.
“Gasoline is expensive now, so we try to bring the information directly to the people,” she said.
Media outreach has also become a vital part of their campaign.
“Radio is one of the best ways to communicate,” Arisola explained. “Even in remote areas, people can listen as long as they have batteries.”
Barriers Women Still Face
Despite improvements in healthcare access, Arisola said many women still delay seeking medical help.
In rural communities, some rely first on home remedies or traditional treatments.
“In the provinces, many people do ‘tambal-tambal’ first,” she said. “So when they finally go to the doctor, it is already too late.”
She also remembers how healthcare access used to be much more limited.
“Before, there were very few barangay clinics,” she said. “Some women were shy to consult, especially if the doctor was a man.”
Today, she hopes improved healthcare services will encourage more women to prioritize regular medical check-ups.
A Story Shared During Women’s Month
Arisola shared her journey during Babayinihan 2026, a women’s health conference organized by The Medical City Iloilo on March 7, 2026 at Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo.
The gathering brought together hundreds of Ilonggas to talk about women’s health, empowerment, and wellness as part of the celebration of International Women’s Month.
Doctors, mothers, community leaders, and women from different generations exchanged stories about reproductive health, motherhood, and maintaining well-being.
For Arisola, it was another chance to spread a message she has carried for decades.
“Every time someone tells me, ‘Ma’am, good thing you shared your story because I went to get checked,’ that already means a lot,” she said.
“That means we are helping save lives.”
Faith, Discipline, and Gratitude
Thirty-four years after her diagnosis, Arisola remains active and optimistic.
She credits her endurance to faith and a disciplined lifestyle.
“Every night before I sleep, I thank the Lord,” she said. “I thank Him for giving me another year and another day to live.”
Her philosophy for staying healthy is simple.
“Everything should be in moderation,” she said. “Sugar, salt, fats — everything.”
As she approaches her 79th birthday in August, Arisola continues to live with the quiet determination of someone who understands the fragility of life — and the power of awareness.
“If my story can encourage even one woman to get checked,” she said, “then my mission is fulfilled.”/PN
