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Cancer begins when changes in genes build up over time, causing normal cells to become abnormal. These abnormal cells grow too quickly, spread to nearby tissues, and can reach other organs. Without timely treatment, cancer can harm vital organs and become life-threatening.
The Cancer screening talk was presented by Dr. Khoo Kei Siong, Deputy Medical Director and Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist at Parkway Cancer Center Singapore.
Since cancer is a serious issue, governments and researchers, including those in the Philippines, have invested heavily in studying it. In the Philippines, government agencies, academic institutions, and local hospitals have established cancer registries and run awareness campaigns. Influenced by international efforts, such as the “War on Cancer” in 1971 and the Cancer Moonshot program in the United States, which have accelerated discoveries, collaborative partnerships have helped introduce new treatments locally, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapy, which now guide cancer care in various Filipino hospitals.
These investments have led to real progress globally. In the last twenty years, the U.S. cancer death rate has dropped by about 34 percent, saving millions of lives. In developed countries, lower smoking rates, better screening, earlier diagnosis, and new treatments have contributed significantly. However, Filipino families face their own challenges, with about 70,000 cancer-related deaths reported locally in 2020. Many people struggle to pay for health care, and access to the latest treatments and diagnostics remains limited, especially in rural barangays. This highlights the complex financial and accessibility barriers unique to the Philippine healthcare system.
Many of the most common cancers in the Philippines are connected to aging, lifestyle habits, and delays in diagnosis. In many Filipino communities, people only visit a doctor when symptoms become severe, often due to limited healthcare access or awareness. This can limit their treatment options and lower their survival chances. Regular health check-ups and education about cancer warning signs are often lacking, especially in rural and underserved areas, reflecting persistent Filipino public health challenges.
The Most Common Cancers Affecting Women
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among Filipino women, with about 27,000 new cases and 12,000 deaths each year. Many women are diagnosed only when the cancer is already advanced, which makes surgery harder and often means they need treatments like chemotherapy.
Regular mammograms remain one of the best ways to check for breast cancer, but access is uneven across the Philippines. Studies show that routine mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer by 20 to 25 percent because they help find it early, emphasizing the need to make this screening more available to Filipino women.
Ovarian cancer is another major challenge for Filipino women because it often develops without clear symptoms. It is sometimes called the “silent killer” since most women do not notice any signs early on. Many are only diagnosed when the cancer has already reached Stage III or IV. Age and certain gene mutations, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, are also major risk factors for Filipino women.
Cervical cancer can often be prevented. Almost all cases are caused by ongoing infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV-16 and HPV-18. Still, thousands of Filipino women are diagnosed each year, often when the cancer is already advanced. If detected early, more than 90 percent of women survive, but survival drops sharply if the disease spreads. Regular Pap smears and HPV tests, which are important for prevention, are still not widely accessible in many Philippine communities due to infrastructure and stigma.
Breaking Down Screening Myths
Misinformation is one of the biggest barriers to preventing cancer in the Philippines, where myths and a lack of awareness are still common public health problems. This is compounded by local beliefs and taboos, making it harder for Filipinos to pursue screening and prevention.
Many people believe that if they feel healthy, they do not need to get screened. However, most early cancers do not cause any symptoms. Others think they are safe if no one in their family has had cancer, but most cancer cases happen in people with no family history.
Other common myths include the idea that biopsies can spread cancer or that screening tests are very painful or embarrassing. Science has shown these beliefs are not true. Finding cancer early not only helps people live longer, but also means they may need less aggressive treatment and can enjoy a better quality of life.
Concerns about money, limited healthcare access, fear, and stigma also stop many Filipinos from getting preventive care. In the Philippines, poorer communities and those far from major cities often have the most difficulty accessing cancer screening and treatment, reinforcing existing health inequalities.
Expanding Access to Screening
To improve cancer outcomes in the Philippines, we need to make screening easier for everyone, especially in less urbanized areas. Raising awareness and helping Filipino communities understand the value of regular screening is crucial. Mobile mammography units, based on successful programs in other Asian countries, can bring life-saving services closer to remote and island barangays. Health care providers can boost screening rates by offering longer clinic hours, simplifying appointments, and providing screenings at barangay health stations, workplaces, or on weekends. Offering financial assistance and stronger government support could help make screening accessible to people across all income levels.
Tracking who needs screening and sending reminders are also proven ways to help more people get screened.
New Technologies Offer Hope
New medical advances are changing the way we treat cancer.
Scientists are now studying circulating tumor DNA, or ctDNA, sometimes called a “liquid biopsy.” This test looks for small pieces of cancer DNA in a blood sample. Early research suggests it could one day help find many types of cancer before they appear on scans.
While ctDNA testing is still being studied and not yet used for routine screening, it is among the most promising new ways to detect cancer early.
Cancer treatments have also improved greatly. Targeted therapies focus on the specific parts of cancer cells that help them grow, while causing less harm to healthy cells.
Immunotherapy is another major advance. It helps the body’s immune system find and destroy cancer cells. Other new treatments, such as CDK4/6 inhibitors, PARP inhibitors, hormone therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates, are helping more patients survive. These modern treatments can be costly, but in recent years, the Philippines has seen more generic medicines become available, making some cancer therapies much more affordable than before. This highlights the ongoing need to ensure that all Filipinos, regardless of location or income, can access the best available care. Prevention goes beyond hospitals and clinics. Healthy habits such as breastfeeding when possible, regular exercise, quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, and joining recommended screening programs all help lower cancer risk among Filipinos. Emotional support is just as important. People with cancer in the Philippines benefit from compassionate communication, counseling, family support, and guidance throughout their treatment.
Cancer is still a major health issue, but it is no longer a hopeless cause.
Thanks to earlier detection, better treatments, and more community education, Filipinos are living longer and healthier lives.
By expanding knowledge and access to screening, we can detect cancer earlier, treat it more effectively, and save more lives.
Have yourself checked today. Early detection may save your life.
