The Philippine Cancer Society (PCS), in line with its commitment to cancer prevention and awareness, actively participated in the Department of Health-Health Promotions Bureau’s (DOH-HPB) 2025 PinaSigla National Health Fair held at Burnham Green, Luneta Park, Manila City. The two-day event, spanning October 4-5, 2025, was a flagship initiative aimed at promoting health literacy and providing essential health services to the public. A key highlight of the event on Day 2 was the educational talk provided by the PCS representative focusing on two of the most common cancers affecting Women.
The Philippine Cancer Society contributed significantly to the overall activities of the Health Fair. The event featured a dedicated “Priority Diseases Booth for HIV, TB, Cancer, and Dengue” (Priority Diseases Booth), ensuring that attendees had access to critical information regarding various major health concerns, including cancer.
Furthermore, the fair offered a range of essential health services, which directly complemented the advocacy of the PCS. These services included:
- Breast Cancer Screening
- Cervical Cancer Screening
The availability of these crucial screenings underscored the event's commitment to early detection and primary prevention, aligning perfectly with the Philippine Cancer Society’s mission.
Dr. Herdee Gloriane C. Luna, of the Executive Action Team of the Philippine Cancer Society, delivered a vital presentation on "Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening" during a prime time slot on the main stage. Her talk provided a comprehensive overview of the Philippine Cancer Society's role and emphasized the life-saving urgency of cancer prevention and proactive screening.
I. Presentation Highlights: The PCS Comprehensive Cancer Control Framework
Dr. Luna's presentation began by outlining the comprehensive scope of the Philippine Cancer Society's work, reinforcing its Mission—to advance knowledge about cancer, combat the spread of the disease, and bring relief to those afflicted. The key program areas highlighted included:
- Screening: Focused services for Breast, and Cervical cancers.
- Patient Navigation: A critical service designed to guide patients through the complex healthcare system, from diagnosis to treatment.
- Mobile Clinic: The strategy of bringing evidence-based screening directly to underserved communities.
- Support & Education: Providing Medical Assistance, Palliative Care, maintaining the Cancer Registry, and conducting extensive Awareness Lectures and Health Professional Training.
- Campaigns: Ongoing efforts like Relay for Life and the Yosi Kadiri Campaign were noted as integral to prevention and advocacy.
II. The Core Message: The Imperative of Early Screening
The most impactful message of Dr. Luna’s presentation centered on the necessity of regular, proactive screening to improve survival rates, particularly for breast and cervical cancers, which disproportionately affect Filipinas. The gravity of the situation was underscored by the statistics: Every day, 32 Filipina lives are lost due to breast cancer, and globally, one life is lost every two minutes because of cervical cancer. The session directly addressed the fact that most Filipino cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced stages due to limited screening access.
Key Screening Recommendations shared by Dr. Luna:
- Breast Cancer Screening (Citing PCS guidelines):
- Breast Self-Examination (BSE): Recommended monthly for women starting at age 20.
- Clinical Breast Examination (CBE): Recommended annually by a physician for women starting at age 30.
- Screening Mammography: Recommended yearly for women starting at age 40, or earlier for high-risk individuals.
- Cervical Cancer Screening (Citing American Cancer Society guidelines):
- Ages 25–65: The primary recommendation is a Primary HPV Test every 5 years, OR a Pap/HPV Co-test every 5 years, OR a Pap test alone every 3 years.
- Ages 21–24: Pap test alone is recommended every 3 years.
- Impactful Takeaway: Dr. Luna reinforced the critical concept that "Early detection saves lives." When breast and cervical cancers are found in their initial stages, the chances of cure and successful treatment rise dramatically. The presentation encouraged immediate action through the PCS’s patient-focused initiatives, such as the ACT NOW program and the Patient Navigation system, designed to eliminate barriers to diagnosis and treatment.
The participation of the Philippine Cancer Society in the 2025 PinaSigla National Health Fair, particularly through the focused talk on "Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening" led by Dr. Herdee Glorianne C. Luna, marked a successful effort in expanding health education and facilitating direct screening access. The PCS’s involvement was instrumental in promoting a culture of prevention and early detection among the thousands of attendees, thereby contributing to the broader goal of a healthier Filipino population.
