FOUR House lawmakers have filed a bill seeking to strengthen programs for early cancer detection.
House Bill 7942 was filed on Feb. 23 by Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez with Tingog Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez and Jude Acidre.
"This bill seeks to institutionalize annual community-based cancer early detection programs through risk profiling, barangay-level screening, and awareness campaigns across municipalities," they said in the bill's explanatory note.
Under the bill, the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with local government units (LGUs), town or city health centers, barangay (village) health workers (BHWs), and rural health units, "shall conduct regular and periodic barangay-based cancer screening, free of charge or subsidized." The bill stated that "priority shall be granted to the indigent and high-risk population."
Also, the bill required that health facilities conducting screening have "a referral mechanism to higher-level facilities for confirmatory diagnosis and treatment." It stated that referral "shall include linkage to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) benefits and other financial or logistical support services."
Initially, the measure shall focus on breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal (colon) cancer, and prostate cancer.
Under the bill, the DOH must review the types of cancer covered every three years, upon the recommendation of the National Integrated Cancer Control Council (NICCC), to expand the list based on emerging evidence and the national burden of disease.
Moreover, the DOH, in coordination with LGUs, provincial, city, and town health offices, village health centers, "academic institutions, and other concerned agencies, shall establish a comprehensive cancer risk profiling system nationwide."
"Subsequently, a Municipality- or City-Wide Cancer Risk Registry shall be created to record prevalence trends, screening results, and follow-up care," it read. Confidentiality must be "strictly observed pursuant to" Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act. "Anonymized and aggregated data may be authorized for national research, monitoring, and policy development," the bill read.
It further stated that "the DOH, in collaboration with LGUs, civil society, and professional medical associations, shall accordingly develop and integrate a culturally sensitive health education campaign addressing cancer risk factors and lifestyle prevention; early signs and cancer symptoms; and importance of early detection and treatment adherence."
It read, "Campaigns shall be evaluated periodically to assess effectiveness and reach, especially among vulnerable and rural communities."
Moreover, the proponents also said that the bill "aims to strengthen the role of BHWs, by providing capacity development and training, enabling them to effectively assist in cancer prevention, screening promotion, health navigation, and patient support."
The bill required the promulgation of "capacity development among BHWs, including training on cancer prevention and health promotion; screening assistance and navigation; psychosocial support; and referral pathways and linkage to financial assistance programs."
If the bill is passed into law, the DOH, Philippine Cancer Center, NICCC, LGUs, and other relevant stakeholders, must promulgate the implementing rules and regulations.
Under the bill, the money needed for its initial implementation shall be sourced from the DOH's current appropriations. Funding shall thereafter be included in the yearly national budget law.
