MANILA, Philippines—There are more reported cases of breast cancer among younger Filipino women these days, but the Philippine Cancer Society says this means more women are aware of the dreaded disease and have been able to detect it in its early stages.

"Breast-cancer victims used to be aged 40 and above. But now women are getting it in their early 30s and now even in their late 20s. This, however, means naagapan na (it is treated in its early stage)," said PCS executive director Kelly Salvador.

As part of an awareness campaign, around 30,000 people are expected to gather in 16 different locations in the country next month in a walk against breast cancer, the no. 1 killer disease among women.

The event to be held on October 5 will be sponsored by the "Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer" (KGBC) campaign of beauty company Avon, and several partners including the PCS and the Philippine General Hospital Breast Care Center, KGBC's beneficiary.

The PGH facility, which was launched in 2002, has funded the treatments of indigents, initiated support groups and conducted regular gatherings for sufferers and survivors.

As part of its fundraising efforts, P30 from each KGBC shirt (priced at P149) sold will go to the breast cancer fund while P5 will go to the same fund with each sale of the KGBC limited edition of the Skin So Soft Ultra Healing Hand and Body Lotion.

Since one out of nine Filipinas could develop cancer, PCS chair Roberto Paterno stressed that monthly self-examination would be crucial in nipping breast cancer in the bud.

Mammography, he added, should be done yearly starting age 40 by high-risk persons or those with family history of cancer, and starting age 50 for those without any history of cancer.