FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.1174 
10 JJl12 11930· 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the 
female reproductive system. When ovarian cancer is found and treated in its 
earliest stages, the five-year survival rate is 95%; however, most women who 
suffer from ovarian cancer are not diagnosed until the later stages of the 
cancer when the disease has $pread and the five-year survival rate decreases 
to 30%. 
More than half of the deaths from ovarian cancer occur in women 
between the ages of 55 and 74 years of age and approximately one quarter of 
ovarian cancer deaths occur 'in women between 35 and 54 years of age. 
Because early detection and treatment often mean the difference between life 
and death, it is important to increase awareness of the factors that put certain 
women at a higher risk for the disease: increased age; having a personal 
history of breast cancer or a family history of breast, ovarian, uterine, colon or 
other gastrointestinal cancers; and bearing no children. 
Because the symptoms are vague and non-specific, women and their 
physicians often attribute them to more common conditions so that by the time 
the cancer is diagnosed the tumor has often spread beyond the ovaries. 
Although development of a screening test to detect ovarian cancer 
remains a very active area of research, currently there is no definitive 
prevention strategy, but having regular pelvic examinations may decrease the 
overall risk of dying from ovarian cancer. 
MANNYV LAR 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1174 
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IIFflCE (J~ 'fHi S£CHf'TARY 
1 0 JUl 12 1\ 9 :3kl' 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING AN OVARIAN CANCER PUBLIC AWARENESS 
CAMPAIGN 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title- This Act shall be known and cited as the "Ovarian 
Cancer Public Awareness Campaign". 
SECTION 2. The Secretary of Health shall establish a public awareness 
campaign to inform the general public about the clinical significance of ovarian 
cancer and its public health implications. The campaign shall include, at a 
minimum, risk factors, symptoms, the need for early detection and methods of 
treatment. 
The commissioner shall, at a minimum: 
1. provide for the development of printed educational materials 
and public service announcements in English and Filipino; and 
2. disseminate information for distribution to the public, through a 
variety of entities, including, but not limited to, local health agencies 
and clinics, physicians, health care facilities, county offices on aging, 
pharmacies, libraries, senior citizen centers, other community-based 
outreach programs and organizations, and the Department of Health's 
official website. 
SECTION 3. The Department of Health shall urge all citizens to recognize 
"Ovarian Cancer Public Awareness Campaign" and shall provide encouragement 
and assistance to those organizations that offer educational, advocacy and 
support services for ovarian cancer's victims. 
SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The Department of 
Health shall promulgate the appropriate rules and regulations necessary for the 
effective implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from its approval. 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause.- Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved. 
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