THIS week on Tuesday, the Philippines joined, albeit quietly, other countries in the annual observance of World Cancer Day, an initiative aimed at raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting equitable access to cancer care.
While the commemoration was relatively quiet, we must appreciate and acknowledge determined efforts of the Philippine Cancer Society in actively working to reduce cancer mortality by focusing on cancer prevention through education and awareness campaigns.
It has been providing early detection services like screening programs, offering patient support and navigation services, conducting research on cancer incidence, and advocating for better access to treatment, particularly for disadvantaged populations, all aimed at identifying and managing cancer at earlier stages when treatment is more effective.
The World Cancer Day theme 2025-2027 is themed “United by Unique” which places people at the center of care and explores new ways of making a difference as cancer continues to pose a global public health challenge.
Cancer is the third leading cause of death – 100,000 people died from this in 2022, compared to 10 million deaths worldwide — but many apparently don’t know much about this health issue, with lung cancer having the highest mortality rate compared to other cancer sites.
In the Philippines, which today has a population of 117 million, the Cancer Control Program began in 1988, an integral approach using primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in the different regions at both hospital and community levels.
Under this program, the six lead cancers – lung, breast, liver, cervix, oral cavity, colon and rectum – are put under sharp focus.
The goals of the program are to create cancer awareness and remove the stigma and fear attached by helping people recognize the early signs and symptoms, enabling them to seek treatment at an early stage.
Also, increasing cancer awareness in more deprived areas could help reduce health inequalities and bring down cancer mortality and thus increase patients’ chance of survival.
We are glad we also have this Medical Assistance program from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office which issues guarantee letters to partner hospitals and covers the cost of medicines, chemo drugs, radiation therapy, and other medical needs of patients in those institutions.
With regulation, education and support programs, the government has created an environment in which tobacco use is reduced and citizens maintain good levels of physical activity, healthy body weight and good nutrition.
Cancer control aims to lessen this burden, which includes cancer prevention, early detection and diagnosis, treatment and palliative care.
Off the cuff, preventing cancer can be done, according to authorities, by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, drinking alcohol in moderation, if at all, protecting yourself from the sun, protecting yourself from infections, getting screening tests regularly.
Effective cancer prevention and control requires an understanding of the causes and risk factors for cancer and development as well as testing of ways to detect and prevent cancer.
We can crush cancer.