Women lawmakers lead free mammogram program

MANILA, Philippines — At the forefront of breast health advocacy at the House of Representatives, the Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc. (AWLFI), chaired by Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, partners with the House committee on women and gender equality and Kasuso Foundation in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.

“In an effort to scale up services for the early detection and management of breast cancer, we are offering free mammograms to women aged 40 years and above, especially those who have no insurance coverage for said screening,” AWLFI president and Fourth District Bulacan Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica announced in her privilege speech. “Women with doctor’s prescription for mammogram can get in touch with Kasuso Foundation to avail of this program.”

Last year, through the collaborative efforts of the AWLFI and the Philippine Cancer Society and Soroptimist International of Ortigas and Environs, around 150 congressional staff and employees were given free cervical and breast screening after a seminar on breast care.

According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 2.3 million cases of breast cancer each year, which makes it the most prevalent cancer among adults. In 95 percent of countries, breast cancer is the first or second leading cause of cancer death among women.