10-7-2023 (MANILA) The Philippines has alarmingly low screening rates for breast and cervical cancer, ranking among the lowest in the world. According to a study conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), only approximately 1 percent or 540,000 out of 54 million women in the country undergo cancer screening. This concerning statistic highlights the urgent need for improved screening efforts to address the prevalence of these cancers, which are the top two types affecting Filipino women.
The PIDS emphasized that a significant portion of the country’s cancer burden can be prevented through early screening. Valerie Gilbert Ulep, a senior research fellow at PIDS, highlighted the fact that cancer patients in the Philippines are often diagnosed at a very late stage, indicating the urgent need for proactive screening measures. In comparison, countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar, which share similar lower-middle income status with the Philippines, exhibit comparatively higher cancer screening rates.
In upper-middle income countries like Malaysia and Thailand, the screening rate stands at 20 percent. However, even these countries express concerns over their low screening rates. In high-income countries, the screening rate reaches around 50 percent, emphasizing the need for substantial improvements in the Philippines.
The PIDS identified several factors contributing to the low screening rates. Lack of funds, particularly among the poor, is a significant barrier, as few government hospitals offer cancer screening services. Additionally, fear of a cancer diagnosis discourages individuals from seeking early screening. Patients often delay screenings until they experience symptoms, by which time the cancer may have progressed to an advanced stage.
This delay in diagnosis has severe consequences, with the majority of cancer-related deaths occurring among individuals aged 40 to 69 years old. The impact of these deaths extends beyond the personal and emotional toll on families, resulting in significant social and economic costs for the country.
Annually, the Philippines reports approximately 27,000 new cases of breast cancer, with 9,000 women losing their lives to the disease.
