Philippine Cancer Society Expands Cancer Screening Services to Underserved Communities

Strategic Insights -

The Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) has ramped up its efforts to bring life-saving cancer screening services to more underserved communities across the country through its flagship ACT NOW (Access to Cancer Treatment Now) campaign. The expanded program will include artificial intelligence-assisted screening for liver and lung cancer, in addition to breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screening. According to PCS President Corazon Ngelangel, early detection saves lives, and the campaign aims to bridge the gap between screening technology and communities in need.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) has expanded its ACT NOW campaign, bringing cancer screening services to more underserved communities nationwide.
  • The program will soon include artificial intelligence-assisted screening for liver and lung cancer, in addition to breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screening.
  • Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the Philippines, with breast and cervical cancer among the top cancers affecting Filipino women.
  • The PCS has reached 381 barangays and screened over 18,000 individuals through mobile clinics since the launch of ACT NOW in 2023.
  • The initiative has also introduced the 30-Day Screening to Treatment model, designed to reduce the waiting time between diagnosis and care to 30 to 60 days.
  • The PCS Patient Navigation Program assists patients throughout their treatment journey, ensuring they receive necessary support and care.
  • The expansion aligns with global targets from the World Health Organization (WHO), including the 90-70-90 Cervical Cancer Strategy and the Global Breast Cancer Initiatives 60-60-80 Targets.

Statistics:

  • 11,857 deaths are attributed to breast cancer annually, with 32 Filipinos dying daily.
  • One life is lost every two minutes due to cervical cancer.
  • Late diagnosis is a significant problem in low- and middle-income countries, with most Filipino breast and cervical cancer patients diagnosed at advanced stages due to limited access to screening services.

Sources:

  • "Philippine Cancer Society expands cancer screening services to underserved communities" (PNA)
  • "Philippine Cancer Society launches ACT NOW campaign to bridge gap between screening technology and underserved communities" (PCS)
  • World Health Organization (WHO) - "90-70-90 Cervical Cancer Strategy"
  • World Health Organization (WHO) - "Global Breast Cancer Initiatives 60-60-80 Targets"