EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 1843
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks the establishment of breast care centers in every region nationwide to
‘ensure that all Filipino women will have access to this particular health service in order to
increase breast cancer awareness and prevention.

The Philippines has the highest breast cancer rate in Asia. Between 1993 to 1995,
the age standardized incidence rate (ASR) was 43.2. By 2006, the ASR increased to 47.7.
Another study claims that the world standardized rates are higher in Manila, 50 per 100,000
Filipinas are diagnosed with breast cancer. The city shares the same rate with Karachi,
Pakistan, Most Filipino women diagnosed with breast cancer are between the ages of 35
and 50 years old. A local study shows that breast self-examination (BSE) is the most cost
effective strategy in detecting cancer. Unfortunately, only 54 percent of Filipino women
conduct BSE and only 27 percent of that number continues to practice it at an average of 9.2
times a year. Economic factor is the one of the primary factors for the late diagnosis of
breast cancer among Filipino women. Other factors are non-awareness and fear. A 1997
Department of Health and World Health Organization study reported that there was a 79.1
percent non compliance rate among women found with breast masses residing in Metro:
Manila in terms of consulting hospitals and clinic for re-evaluation and possible treatment.

In a study conducted by the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology last October
2018, it was revealed that among Asian countries, the Philippines has the No.1 incidence of
breast cancer. “Three out of 100 (Filipino) women will get breast cancer before age 75 and
one out of 100 will die before reaching 75. Breast cancer accounts for 15 percent of all new
cancer cases in the country for both sexes and 8 percent of all cancer deaths.

This bill seeks the need for specialized health services for Filipino women through
the establishment of regional breast care centers. The centers, under the supervision of the
Secretary of Department of Health, shall carry out several programs such as breast
protection, breast surveillance, breast imaging and breast diagnostic and surgery. The
centers shall be equipped with the necessary tools and devices to effectively implement the
programs. In cooperation with the local government units and other government agencies in
their respective areas, an extensive information campaign shall be sustained in order to
raise the breast cancer awareness of the Filipino women in all regions of the country.

Finally, this measure mandates the coordination of regional and local education
officials to guarantee that female high school students of both private and public schools are
well informed about the disease to increase the rates of awareness, prevention and early
detection.

For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

4,
RUI Cat.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
House Bill Nol 843

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BREAST CARE CENTERS IN EVERY
REGION NATIONWIDE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. A breast care center, known in this Act as “Center”, shall be established in
every region of the country to spearhead the fight against breast cancer. It shall be a new
department of existing regional of the National Government. Should there be no regional
hospital in the region, the Center shall be attached to any district hospital in the region which
is most accessible to the highest number of constituents.

SECTION 2. The Centers shall be provided with such equipment, tools, implements,
devices, apparatus and personnel as may be necessary for them to carry out multiple
programs such as Breast Protection, Breast Surveillance, Breast Imaging, Breast Diagnostic
and Surgery, Breast Cancer Chemotherapy and Breast Cancer Awareness and Protection

SECTION 3. The Secretary of the Department of Health shall issue such guidelines, orders
or rules and regulations as may be necessary for the establishment of a Center in every
regional hospital of the national government or in a district hospital to be designated by the
‘Secretary of Heallth for being the most accessible to the highest number of constituents in a
region where there is no existing regional hospital; for the acquisition of the necessary
equipment, tools, implements, devices and apparatus, the hiring of personnel and fix
reasonable fees for the services of the Centers and to carry out the provisions and purposes
of this Act.

SECTION 4, The Centers shall, in coordination with local government units, local health
offices, the Philippine Information Agency and other government agencies, shall spearhead
a sustained and extensive information and awareness campaign within their respective
region to raise the level of awareness of the region's constituents especially the women
sector on the ills, causes and symptoms of the disease for its early detection and prevention.

SECTION 5. The Centers shall coordinate with regional and local education officials to
ensure that female high school students in both public and private schools are taught the
pertinent information about the disease and are trained to habitually self-examine
themselves as a part of the regular secondary curriculum.

SECTION 6. To fully implement the provisions of the Act, the Secretary of Health shall
immediately include in the Department's program the operationalization of the Centers, the
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval
Approved,