The Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol CHD) held its 1st Bicol Cancer Summit on February 26, 2025 at the Casa Lorenzo Hotel, Legazpi City.
With the theme โEmpowering Health Networks: Advancing Cancer Controlโ, the summit aimed to raise awareness on cancer and strengthen the National Integrated Cancer Control Program (NICC) for the prevention and treatment of cancer patients. The NICC seeks to reduce the morbidity, mortality, and disability brought by cancer by the year 2028.
The summit gathered health champions across the Bicol Region including medical and cancer societies, municipal health officers, health care workers, representatives from the Provincial DOH Offices, Provincial Health Offices, Bicol Medical Center, Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center and the regional offices of PhilHealth and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
DOH Bicol Assistant Regional Director Dr. Rosa Maria B. Rempillo emphasized the importance of strengthening the health care provider network to enhance the cancer control continuum in the region.
ARD Rempillo said that delivering the right information, early detection and treatment, and improving support to cancer patients are the key elements of combatting cancer.
DOH Bicol Local Health Support Division Chief Dr. Gladys D. Escote said that it is important to expand treatment access and provide unwavering support to cancer patients. She said that strengthening partnership is instrumental in envisioning a future where cancer no longer stands as a barrier to health.
Dr. Jan Aura Laurelle V. Llevado, Chief of the DOH Cancer Control Division, commended the Bicol Region for doing well in the cancer care continuum, especially in improving breast cancer services.
She shared that the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) provides each patient with 150,000 pesos per year for diagnosis and treatment procedures. The Cancer Supportive and Palliative Medicine Access Program (CSPMAP) offers free medication to cancer patients.
Ms. Julie Ann Legaspi-Granadino, Regional Cancer Control Program Coordinator, shared that only 0.18% (3,105) females 20 years old and above were screened for cervical cancer and only 2.45% (42,194) females 20 years old and above were screened for breast cancer, based on the 2024 FHSIS report.
In this light, the DOH Bicol together with its partners aim to increase the access for cancer services such as screening, diagnosis, and treatment by 50%.
Ms. Granadino also highlighted services for cervical cancer which includes HPV vaccination, screening using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid, Papsmear or HPV DNA. For breast cancer, she urged the public to seek early breast cancer screening especially those with risk factors.
Ms. Granadino said that the DOH and its partners are working together to reduce financial burden from cancer, improve prevention and treatment completion for cancer survivorship care, and provide technical assistance to Local Government Units.
Dr. Monrey Isaiah Mancilla, Head of the Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Cluster and Health Promotion Unit, said that demand generation plays a big part in raising awareness on cancer. According to Dr. Mancilla, community listening and media engagement are essential in encouraging the public to avail of the cancer screening services.
Mrs. Carmencita Auste-Sarmiento, Member of the NICC Council, emphasized that palliative care plays a crucial role in cancer survivorship. Ms. Sarmiento said that it is important to improve the regionโs patient safety and supportive care for those battling with cancer.
Cancer control is part of the 8 Priority Health Outcomes of the DOH. The DOH Bicol CHD urges the public to avail of the cancer screening services at the nearest health center.
Source: DOH Bicol CHD