The Department of Health (DOH) will look to adopt organized screening for breast cancer in communities as more and more Filipino women succumb to the disease every day.
Breast cancer remains the top cause of death in Filipino women, the DOH said.
In a round table talk, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire discussed the department’s plans to incorporate organized screening in the country as part of the government’s universal healthcare plan.
“Organized screening would really be the key and I agree very much to that, because as part of the Department of Health, we are really for the prevention side of things. Now with this primary healthcare, meron po talaga tayong dapat gawin when it comes to breast cancer,” Vergeire said.
About 3 in every 100 women in the country are diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. There are also 27,000 new cases of breast cancer reported every year, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
Vergeire pointed out that health literacy remains a problem among Filipinos which can become a barrier for cancer treatment and screening.
“No matter how much you tell the patients in the community, they will not agree to self-testing or screening for breast cancer. There should always be guidance for self-examination,” she added.
The official also said that she will be pushing for organized screening to help more women understand the importance of getting screened during the probable early stages of cancer.
The DOH estimates that around 70 to 80 percent of women go to cancer centers because they already feel or see symptoms of the disease among themselves.
The Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines organized the discussion on ‘Inspiring conversations on breast cancer in the Philippines’ to ensue conversation on the disease now that the positivity rate has risen to 3.43 percent every one thousand patients.
“[Breast Cancer] is the most common cancer worldwide and leading cause of cancer death among women,” said Christine Fajardo, chairperson of Swiss Chamber Philippines.
Congress has boosted funds for cancer prevention to a total of P1.054 billion, with P500 million on the line for the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAA) – prioritizing breast, childhood, gynecologic, liver, adult blood, head and neck, lung, prostate, renal, and urinary bladder cancers.
Dr. Corazon Ngelangel, President of the Philippine Cancer Society, pointed out that women often do not undergo cancer treatment because of their fear of surgery and chemotherapy and financial constraints.
The support of family members also factors in as a probable solution to convince the patient to undergo treatment.
The Department of Health also emphasized that they will be expanding ‘KonsulTayo’, the primary health package for PhilHealth to aid cancer patients with financial constraints and accessibility. They are also set to expand procedures and primary medication for chronic and basic conditions.
Undersecretary Vergeire called on Local Government Units (LGUs) to help them achieve population-based organized screening for breast cancer.
“Our voices will be heard as one, we unify our efforts and give more hope to our cancer patients,” She said.
The Philippine Cancer Society currently advocates for online breast health consultation for women aged 40 to 64 years old.