THE month of October is breast cancer awareness month, the annual health campaign celebrated by breast cancer and cancer organizations every year to increase awareness of the disease and disseminate information about breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, innovations, and the importance of early detection.

In fact, early detection is a very important step and a key to better treatment and overall management and is important to remember. This is especially true in the Philippines where the numbers are continuing to rise. According to the Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates which released a report in 2005 and 2010, the incidence of breast cancer in the country has risen from being the second leading site in 2005, comprising 13.1 percent of total cancer cases, to the leading site in 2010, comprising 15 percent of total cancer cases. There is no prevention for breast cancer, only early detection. This makes information dissemination a definite need for better breast cancer awareness and knowledge of the new treatments and options available.

This is one of the main goals of the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO). PSMO is a scientific, professional organization of medical oncologists committed to the advancement of the science and the ethical and holistic practice of Medical Oncology. They participate in national programs, campaigns, and activities and actively promote cancer awareness and safe practices in medical oncology for optimal patient results.

On October 17, PSMO, in collaboration with Roche, held a press conference during their 26th annual convention entitled “Best of Breast” sharing new information about breast cancer treatments, patient care, and the new PhilHealth Z Package. The Z Package program covers catastrophic illnesses that have medical and economic consequences to members. PhilHealth members, especially the poor are often deprived of quality care necessary for better health outcomes, through the Z Package, they have new hope at combating deadly diseases. The catastrophic illnesses that are covered under the Z Package now include early breast cancer including HER2-positive breast cancer. Through this package, pre-qualified PhilHealth members with HER2-positive breast cancer can have access to the medication trastuzumab for treatment of the aggressive disease.

“We can’t stress enough the importance of early detection in breast cancer management,” shares Dr. Felycette Gay Lapus. “This is especially true now when there are options for treatment that weren’t available to everyone before. Those who may not have been able to afford breast cancer treatment now have a chance through the PhilHealth Z Package. The earlier the cancer is detected, diagnosed, and treated by the team of medical oncologists the better the success rates. Treatment for early breast cancer, stages 0-3, is very important in terms of survival.”

At the press conference held at the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel, Dr. Lapus along with Dr. Ellie May Villegas and Dr. Dennis Ramon Tudtud shared the importance of a multidisciplinary cancer team, the latest advances and safe practices in breast cancer treatment, and the importance of integrated patient care. “We have made great strides in our approach to treating patients with cancer in the past 50 years,” Dr. Villegas relates. “We now have more breast cancer screening programs, better and improved diagnostic tools to better understand breast disease, and the rapidly evolving advances in cancer biomarkers, genetics, and molecular biology. Because of these, we have improved cancer chemotherapeutic drugs and less toxic targeted agents. There are far more options for patients, especially those in the early stages.”

With the advances in breast cancer screenings, treatments, management, and now even more options for a wider economic bracket via the PhilHealth Z Package there is a greater need for breast cancer awareness. No more lives need to be lost to this disease with early detection and proper patient care. “There must be an emphasis on the importance of breast cancer awareness,” Dr. Lapus asserts. “It is extremely important that we encourage our citizens to see a doctor at the earliest possible moment. Cancer is an insidious disease that thrives on neglect and denial. With early detection though, and a multi-disciplinary approach to management, breast cancer can be successfully treated.”