Pasigueñas receive free breast, cervical cancer screenings
Published Mar 12, 2023 06:13 am
The local government of Barangay San Antonio (BSA) in Pasig City provided free breast and cervical cancer screenings for its women residents on Friday, March 10, as part of its Women’s Month activities.
The program was conducted in partnership with the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) and the Rotary Club of Makati-West.
According to Jan Antonio Campos from the Rotary Makati-West, a mobile van was used as the screening site. Around 120 women were tested in the program.
The event aimed to offer accessible and free medical assistance to the barangay’s female constituents. The screenings serve to help protect, detect, and prevent the two most common types of cancer in the country.
PCS Program Director Dr. Romeo Marcaida said that around 27,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually in the Philippines, but only 64 percent survive the disease. Meanwhile, at least 7,000 are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, but only 50 percent survive.
As stated in the Preventive Medicine Reports journal published in October 2022, “majority of breast and cervical cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced stages” because of high healthcare costs, lack of human resources and infrastructure in the health sector, and absence of organized national screening programs.
The chances of survival for late-stage cancer is only up to 20 percent, compared to the 60 to 80 percent if its still in its early stage, added Marcaida.
FREE SCREENING. Barangay San Antonio (BSA), Pasig Chairman Raymond Lising oversees on Friday, March 10, the free breast and cervical cancer screening for residents at the barangay hall. In celebration of Women's Month, the barangay held the event in collaboration with the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS), and the Rotary Club of Makati-West. (BSA / MANILA BULLETIN)
"This is the harsh reality for Filipinas—a lot of them are not aware of the importance of early breast and cervical cancer screening and detection, while others know but cannot afford these tests," remarked BSA Chairman Raymond Lising. Lising added that the screening is the “best present that female residents can receive this Women’s Month.” He noted that this event is the first of its kind in the whole history of the barangay. Marcaida emphasized the importance of screening and encouraged the public to undergo check-ups as soon as possible. “Don't be afraid because prevention and early detection is the key for survival and fighting against cancer,” the doctor stressed. Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women, and cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). An estimate of 27 percent of all female cancers and 16 percent of all cancer deaths among women in the Asian region are attributed to breast cancer. Cervical cancer accounts for 17 percent of all female cancers and 12 percent of all cancer deaths among women in Asia.
FREE SCREENING. Barangay San Antonio (BSA), Pasig Chairman Raymond Lising oversees on Friday, March 10, the free breast and cervical cancer screening for residents at the barangay hall. In celebration of Women's Month, the barangay held the event in collaboration with the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS), and the Rotary Club of Makati-West. (BSA / MANILA BULLETIN)
"This is the harsh reality for Filipinas—a lot of them are not aware of the importance of early breast and cervical cancer screening and detection, while others know but cannot afford these tests," remarked BSA Chairman Raymond Lising. Lising added that the screening is the “best present that female residents can receive this Women’s Month.” He noted that this event is the first of its kind in the whole history of the barangay. Marcaida emphasized the importance of screening and encouraged the public to undergo check-ups as soon as possible. “Don't be afraid because prevention and early detection is the key for survival and fighting against cancer,” the doctor stressed. Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women, and cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). An estimate of 27 percent of all female cancers and 16 percent of all cancer deaths among women in the Asian region are attributed to breast cancer. Cervical cancer accounts for 17 percent of all female cancers and 12 percent of all cancer deaths among women in Asia.