Cancer group: What about us?

MANILA, Philippines — The Cancer Coalition of the Philippines (CCP) yesterday made an “urgent appeal” to the government to deliver the “promises” of National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) of 2019.

In statement, CCP said they believed in the promise of NICCA for cancer patients and their families – strengthening health system capacities for better care and increased survivorship.

The law also promised to make funds available to assist patients in “gaining timely access to required services throughout the entire cancer care continuum (from screening, diagnosis to rehabilitation/reintegration).”

More than two years later, however, the provisions of the law have not been achieved.

The group noted it is “disconcerting and disappointing” that the proposed 2022 National Expenditure Program (NEP) of the Department of Health (DOH) does not include the “mandated line items” on NICCA programs and Cancer Assistance Funds (CAF).

CCP added this is a “direct violation” of the law.

“The consolidation of the cancer control budget in the non-communicable disease (NCD) budget…makes a travesty of the NICCA mandate and its explicit intent,” the group said.

It said the absence of a separate fund for the CAF at a time when patients need it most is alarming and life-threatening to cancer patients.

“Since the pandemic began, cancer patients have suffered disruptions and long delays in access to life-saving medical care and services,” it added.

According to the CCP, cancer patients and their families are “already struggling with the diminished assistance” from other government programs and non-government charity organizations.

“These delays in cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment interruptions have resulted in the progression of the disease, substantive increases in the diagnosis of advanced cancers, unnecessary complications, disabilities and worst, even premature death,” the group maintained.

Citing the World Health Organization’s Global Cancer Obsevatory, the CCP said more than 153,000 new cancer cases were recorded in the Philippines in 2020.

Cancer was the second leading cause of death in the country from January to December 2020, with over 62,300 deaths.

The group said cancer patients who got infected with COVID-19 are 16 times more likely to be in the severe and critical categories.

“Sadly, in the midst of COVID-19, cancer has become the forgotten C, even as it continues to be a major cause of mortality, morbidity and disability,” it underscored.