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06 SEP 2016

Republic of the Philippines! one

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 7H
Quezon City ae
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS’

First Regular Session REGS TR TION UNT
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House Bill No. 3 500 eee

Introduced by Congressman ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men.
According to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, 19 out of 100,000 Filipinos
are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Dubbed as the “silent killer of men,” prostate
cancer is asymptomatic and is usually picked up late, with about six out of 10 cases
diagnosed in men aged 65 or older.

This bill seeks to establish a program to educate the public, especially Filipino
men, and increase awareness on prostate cancer. In particular, it instructs men 40 years
old and above to undergo periodic testing for the early detection of prostate cancer. It
also teaches men how to prevent the occurrence of prostate cancer by maintaining a
healthy lifestyle.

Through this initiative, we are able to provide Filipino men with protection from
developing prostate cancer and offer diagnosed patients with a better chance of
survival.

In line of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3500

House Bill No.

Introduced by Congressman ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT.
ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION ON PROSTATE CANCER AND
OTHER LEADING TYPES OF CANCER

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

SECTION 1,Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the “Prostate Cancer
Public Awareness Act’,

SEC. 2.Definition. - For purposes of this Act, the term:

(a) Director means the Director of the Non-Communicable Disease Control
Service of the Department of Health.

SEC, 3.£stablishment of a Program for Public Education on Prostate Cancer and
Other Leading Types of Cancer. ~ The Director shall carry out a program on prostate
cancer and other leading types of cancer. Through the program, he shall conduct or
support activities to achieve the following purposes:

(a) To educate males who are forty (40) years of age or older on the need to
periodically undergo physical examinations for prostate cancer and other
leading types or cancer, including education on the frequency and type of
such examinations that are appropriate for various age groups of such men;

(b) To educate males on the availability and appropriateness of procedures for
detecting the cancer in its early stages, including the procedure known as
prostate ultrasound; and

(c) To educate males on the value of good nutrition and maintaining a healthy
lifestyle.

SEC, 4.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.


SEC. S.Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 6.Effectivity Clause, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,