By Marinel E. Peroy
Breast cancer is a global battle—and one that strikes closer to home than many realize.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 1 in every 20 women worldwide will be diagnosed with the disease in her lifetime. In the Philippines, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, claiming more than 33,000 lives each year.
But hope is on the horizon.
At a recent forum hosted by the Embassy of Switzerland in Manila held in partnership with Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and Roche Philippines, global and local experts gathered to tackle the urgent need for better breast cancer care. From awareness campaigns to cutting-edge therapies, they mapped out a future where no Filipina is left behind.
Dr. Eunyoung Ko, deputy representative of IARC, pointed to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Breast Cancer Initiative Framework as a guide. Practical and evidence-based, the framework sets three ambitious targets:
- Early diagnosis for at least 60% of cases.
- Diagnostic evaluation within 60 days of the first suspicion.
- Completion of treatment for 80% of patients—without abandonment.
“Achieving these targets requires a strong and integrated health system response, with a focus on improving patient outcomes and reducing health inequities,” Dr. Ko said.
She noted that sustainable financing and robust governance—integrated within universal health care—are critical to ensure that lifesaving treatments are not just available, but accessible to all.
The Philippines, Dr. Ko said, has laid important groundwork through the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) and initiatives like the Cancer Assistance Fund.
Yet, major hurdles remain: fragmented service delivery, limited healthcare workforce, and uneven access across regions.
“Overcoming these challenges calls for sustained political will, targeted resource allocation, and strong implementation mechanisms,” she said. “We have a unique opportunity to drive a measurable impact grounded in equity, resilience, and shared responsibility.”
At the heart of these discussions was a simple but powerful call: collaboration—across government, private sector, and civil society.
Expanding access, saving lives
One major step forward is the expanded national health insurance coverage for breast cancer care.
“In 2024, the PhilHealth package was expanded to include targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, and surveillance—up to ₱1.4 million,” said Dr. Melanie Santillan, senior manager at PhilHealth’s Benefits Development and Research Department.
This comprehensive package now covers diagnostics, mammography, surgery, chemotherapy, and expensive targeted therapies that alone cost nearly ₱1 million for 18 cycles. Today, 28 hospitals nationwide—15 public, 13 private—are contracted under this program, covering Filipinas across the archipelago.
Still, gaps remain. Many patients only complete about three cycles of treatment, largely due to financial constraints.
“[Breast cancer] is not just a public health concern. It’s an economic and social disruptor,” Dr. Santillan said.
For ICanServe Foundation President Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, defeating breast cancer starts with a shift in mindset—and political will.
“You really just need political will because it’s about orchestrating resources,” she said. “City leaders or governors are critical. They can command these things and make them happen.”
Magsanoc-Alikpala also stressed the need to end the stigma. “We still have to disabuse ourselves of the idea that cancer is a death sentence,” she said. “There’s hope, there’s a chance—and that belief permeates everything.”
Dr. Soledad Balete, a medical oncologist at Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, said that early diagnosis is only half the battle. “Treatment plays a very important role. We need to expand access to innovative medications that are already the standard of care,” she said.
Dr. Diana Edralin, Roche Philippines general manager and European Chamber of Commerce-Philippines (ECCP) vice president, echoed the sentiment, pointing to the WHO framework as a beacon for collaboration.
“The Global Breast Cancer Initiative framework is an important tool for us to continue to be united and have something measurable in our work—whether in companies or governments,” Edralin said.
Turning intent into impact
On the policy front, Rep. Jude Acidre, House Assistant Majority Leader, shared that Congress had, for the first time, fully funded the Cancer Assistance Fund with ₱1.5 billion in the 2024 and 2025 budgets.
“It’s a bold step forward,” Acidre said. “The sign that we’re moving from intent to impact. What was once out of reach is slowly becoming real—one patient, one family, one life at a time.”
Infrastructure is also expanding, with new cancer care centers such as the Philippine Cancer Center and the Eastern Visayas Cancer Center underway.
Rep. Acidre further committed to championing the Pharmaceutical Innovation Bill, designed to promote research, speed up access to life-saving medicines, and invest in the country’s cancer care future.
For Swiss Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Céline Fürst, the call is clear: “Let us be bold in rethinking access, equity, and innovation in breast cancer care. Let us ensure that no woman—regardless of her location or economic status—is left behind.”
Because when it comes to breast cancer, it’s not simply a statistic. It’s your mother, your sister, your friend, your neighbor.
And in this fight, early detection isn’t just medical advice—it’s a lifeline.
