DOH Highlights Breast Self-Examination for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

With this year’s observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Department of Health (DOH) cites the importance of breast self-examination (BSE).

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III asks women to regularly do the breast self-examination method to detect the early symptoms of breast cancer and seek immediate intervention.

“We urge women to do breast self-examination regularly and seek early consultation or teleconsultation with the primary care physicians for further assessment. Early detection of breast cancer is tantamount to better treatment outcomes for our patients.” Duque said.

According to the 2020 data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO), breast cancer is the third leading cause of cancer of deaths in the Philippines and also has the highest occurrence rate in the different cancer sites in the country.

DOH established the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) to financially support the Cancer and Supportive-Palliative Medicines Access Program (CSPMAP) that is available in 26 access sites nationwide.

The establishment of the CAF is under the National Integrated Cancer Control Act.

According to DOH, despite the ongoing pandemic, there are over 3,000 patients who contracted breast cancer who receive free cancer medicines under the CAF program. (ASC)