PhilHealth expands breast cancer screening, treatment

As breast cancer continues to claim the highest number of cancer-related deaths among Filipino women, PhilHealth is stepping up its response this October --Breast Cancer Awareness Month-- by expanding access to screening and treatment through its Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) Program and the enhanced Z Benefit Package.

- - Caecent No-ot Magsumbol/BRP

Despite medical advances, the Philippines still records one of the highest breast cancer mortality rates in Asia accordingly.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows cancer ranked as the second leading cause of death nationwide in early 2024, with breast cancer among the most prevalent and fatal types.

A 2023 study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies revealed that only 1% of Filipino women undergo cancer screening --roughly 540,000 out of an estimated 54 million.

Alarmingly, around 65% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, drastically reducing survival outcomes.

To close these gaps, PhilHealth has increased the Z Benefit Package for Breast Cancer from 100,000 to up to 1.4 million --a 1300% expansion.