Women’s Health Advocacy: Strategies for Improving Breast and Cervical Cancer Care in the Philippines

In the Philippines, a silent epidemic casts a shadow over the lives of many women. As the world dons the color pink to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we raise awareness on the challenges Filipinas face in the battle against breast cancer. 

Breast and cervical cancers are one of the top causes of deaths in the Philippines, closely following lung cancer. Astonishingly, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reveal that one out of every 13 Filipino women develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Moreover, the Philippines is one of the Asian nations with the highest number of breast cancer-related deaths, emphasizing the urgency of intervention.

However, in the midst of these somber statistics lies a ray of hope. With early intervention and medical support, the battle against breast cancer is highly survivable. In fact, for Filipino women facing stages I to IIIC breast cancers, a remarkable 10-year survival rate of 87.7% offers a glimmer of optimism. 

But as the shadows of breast cancer loom large, another adversary silently lurks in the background—cervical cancer. This lesser-known but equally insidious disease ranks as the second most frequent cancer among Filipino women, further emphasizing the dire need for awareness and action. 

Below, we discuss the importance of breast cancer education, early detection, and erasing the stigma on cervical and breast cancer patients.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Support in the Philippines

According to findings of The Economist Impact as commissioned by the APAC Women’s Cancer Coalition, the Philippines scores moderately high in the prevention, screening, and awareness and education for breast and cervical cancer.

The Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) actively engages in raising awareness, providing educational programs, and advocating for policies related to breast and cervical cancer prevention. They also facilitate cancer screenings, offer support services to patients, and may conduct research.

On the other hand, the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), plays a pivotal role in clinical care, diagnosis, and treatment of breast and cervical cancer patients, while also contributing to research, education, outreach, and community programs. Both organizations collaborate with various stakeholders to address breast and cervical cancer prevention in the Philippines.

Under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) coverage, the agency grants up to Php 100,000 breast cancer under its Z Benefits. In addition, PhilHealth also grants up to Php 175,000 per case for cervical cancer.

Despite these institutional supports, the Philippines scored low in policy and planning, treatment and access, and diagnosis and resource capacity. Moreover, there are still many areas where government and non-government agencies can cooperate to improve women’s cancer care in the country.

Improving breast cancer and cervical cancer nursing plan in the Philippines

Low health literacy can significantly impede cancer diagnosis, especially in a country with mostly low and middle income households with very few support system both from family members as well as the Philippine government. When people do not know what to look out for, they cannot get early help for a more manageable nursing plan. Poeple with limited health literacy may experience delays in seeking medical care and ineffective communication with healthcare providers. This eventually leads to missed opportunities for early detection and treatment.

A lot of women are not aware of the importance of breast self examination where warning signs can be detected at an early stage before an actual clinical examination is even conducted. Some people may also outright refuse getting checked or denying a nursing diagnosis because of the stigma and anxiety that goes with these diseases. There are a lot of misconceptions, fears, and underutilization of preventive services, contributing to late-stage or advanced stages diagnoses.

To mitigate these impacts, healthcare institutions must prioritize health literacy initiatives, offer accessible health information, identify treatment modalities and diagnostic tests, lay out avenues of support for cancer treatment that take into account the patient’s feelings.

Key areas for improvement

According to The Economist Impact, the Philippines should evaluate the following key opportunities for improvements in its fight against breast and cervical cancer:

• Developing national elimination plans for cervical and breast cancer, as per WHO targets.

• A national steering committee to coordinate inter-governmental agencies for cancer control.

• Implementation of population-based digital registries for cancer.

• Establishment of national screening programs for breast and cervical cancer, following WHO recommendations.

• Investments in infrastructure and workforce capacity for cancer care.

• Expanded access to therapies, potentially through alternative funding mechanisms.

• Despite high health literacy, increasing awareness and education on cancer screening is crucial, with integration into primary healthcare and national-level campaigns.

What are the common treatment options for breast and cervical cancer?

Different cancers may have different treatment plans, depending on its type and progression. Ultimately, the purpose of different cancer treatment options is to target and combat cancer cells while addressing various nursing diagnoses related to the patient’s overall well-being.

The most common treatment options are as follows:

Surgery

Surgery involves the removal of cancerous tumors, tissues or axillary lymph nodes from the body. Its purpose is to eliminate localized cancer, reduce tumor size, and alleviate symptoms. Nursing care plan related to surgery include “Risk for Infection” due to surgical incisions and “Impaired Physical Mobility” due to tissue damage during recovery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy or inhibit the growth of cancer cells throughout the body. It is employed to target systemic cancer and may result in side effects such as infection risk, electrolyte imbalances, fatigue, difficulty swallowing, skin irritation, and decreased sexual health.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-energy beams to target and shrink tumors. It aims to reduce cancer cells’ growth and spread.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy boosts the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Its purpose is to enhance the body’s natural defense mechanisms against cancer and improve the patient’s vital signs. It may involve a risk for infection and risk for allergic reaction to immunotherapeutic agents.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs that specifically target genetic or molecular abnormalities in cancer cells, inhibiting their growth. The aim is to limit damage to healthy cells.

Overall, the purpose of cancer treatments is to eradicate or control cancer cells, alleviate symptoms, and improve the patient’s quality of life. Nursing diagnoses guide healthcare professionals in addressing potential complications and side effects to provide comprehensive care and support to cancer patients.

However, these methods of treating cancer can have various effects on patients, including pain and potential for delayed wound healing. This is why proper support throughout the treatment process is vital. Moreover, pain medications to alleviate treatment-related discomfort also need careful assessment to ensure adequate pain relief.

Monitoring not only optimizes patient well-being but also helps healthcare teams tailor interventions to manage side effects. This ultimately improves the overall quality of life for cancer patients as they navigate their treatment journey.

Cancer awareness as a community effort

In low middle-income countries like the Philippines, where healthcare resources may be limited, and cancer is a growing concern, cancer awareness becomes a critical community effort. By collectively addressing the challenges associated with cancer prevention, early detection, and support, communities can play a pivotal role in reducing the impact of cancer on individuals and society as a whole.

A caring community can be considered as one of the support systems that provide emotional support and coping strategies in the grieving process of its community member in the midst of harsh cultural expectations. The families within the community act as support groups that provide additional assistance and encourage verbalization of the patient’s fears and emotions.

Choose a community that gives you all the opportunities to keep yourself healthy. See Camella’s neighborhoods across the Philippines.