Over 22,000 QCitizens were screened for breast cancer by the Quezon City Health Department in celebration of Women’s Month last March.
A total of 22,476 women from the city’s six districts were screened, 146 of whom were positive for breast mass.
Eight residents were referred to the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) for surgery and treatment, while 133 are currently undergoing mammograms at the Quezon City General Hospital.
“Cancer ang isa sa mga sakit na mataas ang mortality rate sa Quezon City. Madali lang itong matugunan kung maaagapan at mabibigyan agad ng atensyon para hindi na lumala pa,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
Based on the 2023 data of the Philippine Statistics Office, cancer is the second leading cause of death among Filipinos, the most common being lung, liver, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers.
“Batid natin na kakulangan sa panggastos ang problema ng mga mamamayan kaya nagkakaroon ng pagdadalawang-isip sa pagpapa-check up at pagpapakonsulta. Kaya tinitiyak ko na nakaagapay ang lokal na pamahalaan sa kanila hanggang sa kanilang paggaling sa sakit,” Mayor Belmonte explained.
Residents who want to know their breast cancer status can go to their nearest health center to schedule their screening.
Patients positive for breast mass will be referred to the QCGH to undergo free mammograms, while those suspected of having cancer will be referred to EAMC.
To further strengthen the city’s cancer initiatives, Councilors Dorothy Delarmente, Alfred Vargas, and Bernard Herrera have proposed a Quezon City Integrated Cancer Control ordinance.
Under the ordinance, the city will establish various programs to heighten initiatives for cancer prevention and establish a referral system for cancer treatment. The proposed ordinance is currently at the committee level.
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