By Hannah Torregoza
The Senate on Thursday ratified the bicameral conference report on the measure would establish a national framework to combat cancer.
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said the bicameral report is the reconciled and consolidated version of Senate Bill No. 1850, “National Integrated Cancer Control Act,” which he co-authored and sponsored, and House Bill No. 8636.
Senator JV Ejercito (Tony Pionilla / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Once signed into law, the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), Filipinos battling cancer would be able to gain better access to cancer treatment and facilities catering to their needs.
Ejercito said the measure aims to “give hope to every Filipino who suffered long enough battling cancer on their own that they will have an equitable and affordable cancer treatment and care especially for the underprivileged and marginalized Filipinos.
The bill seeks to establish the National Integrated Cancer Control program which is aimed at lessening deaths from and incidence of preventable cancer in adults and children.
The program also helps in preventing cancer recurrence and secondary cancer among survivors and people living with cancer, making cancer treatment and care affordable and accessible, and supporting the recovery and reintegration to society of cancer survivors, among others.
“It will address the various gaps in the cancer care continuum and integrated solutions for every single step, from prevention, detection, correct diagnosis, treatment and palliative care, pain management, and survivorship or end of life,” Ejercito said.
The bill also seeks the establishment of a National Integrated Cancer Advisory Council which will be tasked to develop the National Cancer Control roadmap for the effective institutionalization of integrated cancer control strategies, policies, programs and service in the national and local health care system.
The Council will develop, update, and promote evidence-based treatment standards and guidelines and innovative and cost-effective cancer care models for adult and children cancer.
“Our vision is a patient centric support system that is caring, supportive, within a progressive and enabling environment so that Filipinos affected with cancer can live with dignity, enjoying long, productive, and meaningful lives,” the senator said.
Cancer is the third leading cause of adult death and fourth in child mortality in the Philippines. The Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates of the Department of Health (DOH) revealed an alarming increase in the incidence of cancer estimating up to eight deaths per day for childhood cancer and up to 11 new cases and seven deaths every hour for adult cancer.
There are approximately 110,000 new cancer cases and over 66,000 cancer deaths each year.
“Alarmingly, those diagnosed with the disease that came from the poor sector of the society have high mortality rate,” Ejercito said.
“It is expected that this is attributable mainly to the weak health systems, limited access to quality cancer care and partly to the late diagnoses of common cancers,” he said.
Senator JV Ejercito (Tony Pionilla / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Once signed into law, the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), Filipinos battling cancer would be able to gain better access to cancer treatment and facilities catering to their needs.
Ejercito said the measure aims to “give hope to every Filipino who suffered long enough battling cancer on their own that they will have an equitable and affordable cancer treatment and care especially for the underprivileged and marginalized Filipinos.
The bill seeks to establish the National Integrated Cancer Control program which is aimed at lessening deaths from and incidence of preventable cancer in adults and children.
The program also helps in preventing cancer recurrence and secondary cancer among survivors and people living with cancer, making cancer treatment and care affordable and accessible, and supporting the recovery and reintegration to society of cancer survivors, among others.
“It will address the various gaps in the cancer care continuum and integrated solutions for every single step, from prevention, detection, correct diagnosis, treatment and palliative care, pain management, and survivorship or end of life,” Ejercito said.
The bill also seeks the establishment of a National Integrated Cancer Advisory Council which will be tasked to develop the National Cancer Control roadmap for the effective institutionalization of integrated cancer control strategies, policies, programs and service in the national and local health care system.
The Council will develop, update, and promote evidence-based treatment standards and guidelines and innovative and cost-effective cancer care models for adult and children cancer.
“Our vision is a patient centric support system that is caring, supportive, within a progressive and enabling environment so that Filipinos affected with cancer can live with dignity, enjoying long, productive, and meaningful lives,” the senator said.
Cancer is the third leading cause of adult death and fourth in child mortality in the Philippines. The Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates of the Department of Health (DOH) revealed an alarming increase in the incidence of cancer estimating up to eight deaths per day for childhood cancer and up to 11 new cases and seven deaths every hour for adult cancer.
There are approximately 110,000 new cancer cases and over 66,000 cancer deaths each year.
“Alarmingly, those diagnosed with the disease that came from the poor sector of the society have high mortality rate,” Ejercito said.
“It is expected that this is attributable mainly to the weak health systems, limited access to quality cancer care and partly to the late diagnoses of common cancers,” he said.