Local News: Bacolod SP OKs Anti-Breast Cancer Campaign Program

For the 3rd and final reading during the midweek, the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved the ordinance authored by Councilor Em Ang, chairman of the committee on Health and Gender and Development, the establishment of an anti-breast cancer campaign program of the city.

Ang, also chairman of the committee on social services. Ang cited the fact that cancer is the third leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the country.

She also stated in the Ordinance that the Philippines has the highest number of reported breast cancer incidence in Asia and is considered having the ninth highest incidence rate in the world today.

Out of 100 females, 26 were diagnosed with breast cancer, and one male out of 105 has breast cancer in the Philippines. The survival rate of breast cancer in the country is below 50%, while an estimated seventy percent (70%) of breast cancer patients in the Philippines are indigents.

Early detection of breast cancer increases the cure and recovery rates. Breast self examination (BSE) and mammography are effective in early detection, however, only fifty-four percent (54%) of Filipino women perform BSE and out of that number, only twenty-seven percent (27%) continue to do it regularly. Mammography is not readily available and is too expensive thus, there is a need to increase awareness and assistance in preventing, diagnosing and treating breast cancer among Filipino women, Ang stressed.

This measure, she said, seeks to strengthen the world advocacy and awareness against the spread of breast cancer pursuant to the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of improving maternal health in order to end extreme world poverty by 2015.

Thus, she authored the Anti-Breast Cancer Campaign ordinance to ensure safety and promotion of health among people of Bacolod, and shall endeavor the prevention and control of diseases, as well as treatment, management and rehabilitation of individuals affected by this disease and disabilities.

The City Health Office (CHO), through the barangay health centers, shall conduct, on a quarterly basis, massive information, education and communication about the awareness, prevention and detection of breast cancer. However, in cases where education and information could not be effectively rendered in barangay health centers, the barangay health workers shall conduct education and information drive in every purok or a house-to-house visitation as the case maybe.

The information and education campaign shall include public service announcements in radio and television, public fora and generation of pamphlets and other printed materials consistent with breast cancer prevention and awareness.*