Solon stresses need for early detection, treatment of breast cancer

PHOTO: Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica Facebook Page/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has stressed the need for early detection and treatment of breast cancer as Pink October, the month dedicated for the said ailment nears, noting that many women suffer and die despite the disease now considered treatable.

In a privilege speech during the House of Representatives’ session on Monday, Bulacan 4th District Rep. Linabelle Villarica said that breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers in the country, affecting 27,163 Filipinas in 2020 while claiming the lives of 9,926.

The lawmaker claimed that only a few — if no one — should die from the sickness because it is curable, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted treatment for other non-communicable diseases like cancer.

“Tragically, prevention and treatment services for non-communicable diseases like cancer were severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting lockdown.  In any informal survey by the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology among their members last year, they determined that 73.91% of their patients deteriorated or died,” Villarica said.

“Mr. Speaker, we have every reason to celebrate Pink October with timely intervention of breast cancer need not be a death sentence week. Women can and do recover to go on and live healthy and hope-filled lives,” she added.

According to Villarica, the breast cancer issue is also a labor concern, because a study from US-based Fred Hutchinson Research Center showed that aside from reproductive health and other physiological concerns, women who work in graveyard shifts have up to 60 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who do not work.

This is because nighttime sleep deprivation supposedly interrupts melatonin production, which then stimulates the ovaries to release additional estrogen hormones which are found in breast cancer patients.

Villarica said this should propel the implementation of Republic Act No. 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) to focus on industries where women work during graveyard shifts, like call centers or the business process outsourcing (BPO) companies.

“There must be particular focus directed to the greater number of women in the workforce of the BPO industry who are at greater risk due to their nighttime work schedule. The National Integrated Cancer Control Act or NICCA seals our commitment to the establishment of a cancer control policy in every workplace,” she added.

Several lawmakers including Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman congratulated Villarica for bringing forward a very timely cause, but had noted that during the budget deliberations for the proposed 2023 budget, it was revealed that DOH had no funds for cancer treatment.

The DOH had already asked the House’s help in restoring the P500 million NICCA fund in the 2023 budget, which was included in their proposal but was removed by the Department of Budget and Management in the 2023 National Expenditures Program submitted to Congress.

READ: DOH asks House to restore P500M cancer fund in proposed 2023 budget 

“I did not rise to interpolate the honorable representative Villarica but to profusely congratulate her. What a very outstanding privilege speech. The reproductive health law also covers the prevention and treatment of cancer,” Lagman said.

“But I would like to share an unfortunate information to the distinguished representative, Villarica, The Department of Health during its budget hearing. told the committee on Appropriations that it has zero appropriation for the prevention and treatment of cancer.  And their proposal was not approved by the department of budget and management on cancer prevention and treatment,” he added.

Lagman promised to bring the issue once the said agency’s funding is discussed in the plenary hearings.

“I would like to arch the collective wisdom of this house next week when we consider the budget, and the General Appropriations Bill to appropriate the necessary amounts in the budget of the Department of Health, or the treatment and prevention of all types of cancer, including breast cancer,” he added. With reports from Kristelle Anne Razon, INQUIRER.net trainee

JPV