Health experts and other key stakeholders are set to participate in a summit that will tackle the “collective actions” to fight cancer.
The Philippine National Cancer Summit 2023, with a theme “Bridging Gaps in Cancer through 3Cs (Communication, Collaboration, Complementation)” will be held on Feb. 23 to 24 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila. This summit is in line with the commemoration of World Cancer Awareness Day.
The Philippine College of Surgeons Cancer Commission (PCS Can Com) Foundation will be spearheading this event together with Cancer Coalition of the Philippines and the Philippine Cancer Society.
This summit is aimed at bringing “the spotlight for a more united and collective action against the growing threat of cancer among Filipinos,” the PCS Can Com Foundation said in a statement.
The summit "offers a platform for sharing knowledge, expertise, experiences and best practices with the main goal of promoting and advancing multidisciplinary, patient-focused and quality cancer care,” it said.
"It also aims to provide a forum for cancer survivors to share their cancer journeys, and enable healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to learn from their experiences, while encouraging strategic discussions among healthcare professionals, cancer advocates, program managers and decision-makers on how to reinforce and build capacities for cancer care through digital innovation and data science," it added.
Advocates and prime-movers in the medical community, patient and survivor groups, academic and research institutions, industry partners, private sector, local government units and key national stakeholders are expected to participate in the summit.
Department of Health (DOH) Officer-in-Charge and Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire is also expected to join the event, the PCS Can Com Foundation said.
“The summit brings together all the stakeholders in the battle against cancer; for dialogue, understanding and concerted action; in a whole-of-society approach, under the NICCA (National Integrated Cancer Control Act) and its successful implementation," said PCS Can Com Foundation Chairman Manuel Francisco Roxas.
"At the center of all these efforts are the patients and their loved ones, whose voices must be trumpeted and listened to,” he added.