2 PRESENTATIN
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2703, Pe “084 UNIT
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Introduced by Hon. Sol Aragones

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides:

SEC. 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of
the people and instill health consciousness among them.

The Philippines reportedly has one of the highest incidences of breast cancer in
Southeast Asia, Breast cancer is allegedly the third leading cause of death in the Philippines
and the number one type of cancer among Filipino women, often afflicting them during their
most productive years, Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipino

women in the country today

An estimated three out of 100 Filipino women will reportedly contract the disease

before age 75. The Philippine Society of Medical Oncology in 2012 cited that one out of 100

women dies before age 75. This complements the Department of Health and Philippine

Cancer Society, Inc, report, which states that breast cancer is the most common cancer in the

country, comprising 16 percent of the 80,000 new cancer cases in 2010.

In high-income countri

s such as Sweden, Japan and the US, the breast cancer
survival rate is around 80%; in middle-income countries, about 60%, In low-income countries
(such as the Philippines), women with breast cancer have an average survival rate of below
40%. The WHO attributes the low survival rates in less developed countries mainly to the

lack of early detection programs, resulting in many women consulting their doctor when their


breast cancer is already in its advanced stage, as well as to the lack of adequate diagnostic

and treatment facilities.

Fortunately, new treatments and improved reconstructive surgery are now available
for women who have breast cancer, Because of the recent developments in science and

technology, breast cancer patients have better choices than ever before.

Many women who have a mastectomy, either for prevention or treatment, have the
option of having more surgery to rebuild the shape of the removed breast. Most women who

undergo breast reconstruction report improved psychological, social, and sexual well-being,

as well as sati

ction with the restored appearance of their breasts.

Hence, this bill seeks to raise awareness on the part of women to encourage carly
detection, and to educate breast cancer patients anticipating surgery, especially patients who
are members of ethnic minority groups, regarding the availability and coverage of breast

reconstruction, prostheses, and other options.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

n2—
HON. SOL ARAGONES,
Representative, Third District of Laguna


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.27798

Introduced by Hon, Sol Aragones

1 AN ACT
2 TO RAISE AWARENESS OF, AND TO EDUCATE BREAST CANCER
3. PATIENTS ANTICIPATING SURGERY, ESPECIALLY PATIENTS WHO ARE
4 MEMBERS OF ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS, REGARDING THE
5 AVAILABILITY AND COVERAGE OF BREAST RECONSTRUCTION,
6 PROSTHESES, AND OTHER OPTIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
7 SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as “Breast Cancer

8 — Awareness and Patient Education Act of 2016.”

9 SI

TION 2. Early Detection Program. The Department of Health shall
10 implement a Breast Cancer Early Detection Program that shall have the following
11 components:

2 (a) Public information and health education at the barangay or community
13 level on breast cancer;

14 (b) Women from the age of 35 shall be encouraged to undergo clinical

15 breast examination annually and monthly breast self-examination. Indigent women



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from the age of 50 shall undergo annual mammography for free at government
hospitals.

(c) All hospitals whether district or provincial shall have breast cancer

sereening capability and this information shall be cascaded to the barangay or
community level

SECTION 3. Breast Reconstruction Education,

(a) In General. ~ The Secretary of Health shall provide for the planning and
implementation of an education campaign to inform breast cancer patients anticipating
surgery regarding the availability and coverage of breast reconstruction, prostheses,
and other options, with a focus on informing patients who are members of ethnic
minority groups.
(b) Information to be Disseminated.
(1) Specific Information. ~ Such campaign shall include dissemination
of the following information:
(A) Breast reconstruction is possible at the time of breast cancer
surgery, or ata later time.
(B) Prostheses or breast forms may be available.
(C) The patient has a right to choose a provider of reconstructive
care, including the potential transfer of care to a surgeon that provides
breast reconstructive care,

(D) The patient may opt to undergo breast reconstruction some

time after the time of breast cancer surgery for personal or medical


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reasons, during treatment or after completion of all other breast cancer
treatments.

(2) Other Information. ~ In addition to the information described in

paragraph (1), such campaign may include dissemination of such other
information (whether developed by the Secretary or by other entities) as the

Sceretary determines relevant

(3) Required Publication. ~ The information required to be disseminated
under paragraph (1) and any information disseminated in accordance with
paragraph (2) shall be posted on the internet websites of relevant government
agencies.

(4) Restriction. — Such campaign shall not specify, or be designed to
serve as a tool to limit, the health care providers available to patients.

(c) Consultation. — In developing the information to be disseminated under this
Act, the Secretary shall consult with appropriate medical societies and patient
advocates related to breast cancer, breast reconstructive surgery, breast prostheses,
and breast forms and with patient advocates representing ethnic minority groups.

(d) Report. ~ Not later than two years after date of effectivity of this Act and
every two years after, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health of the
Senate and the House of Representatives a report describing the activities carried out
under this Act during the preceding two fiscal years, which shall include an evaluation
of the extent to which such activities have been effective in improving the health and

well-being of ethnic minority groups.


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SECTION 4. Funding. — Philhealth coverage shall include the cost of
sereening, treatment, and rehabilitation of breast cancer, The amount necessary to
cover this cost shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 5, Separability Clause, ~ If any provision or part hereof, is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise

affected shall remain valid and subsisting,

SE

ON 6. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
to or is inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or

amended accordingly

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,