Over 150 representatives of different Cancer patient support groups and network organizations gathered today in Mandaluyong City and called on government to prioritize the passage of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act. With almost 110,000 new cancer cases per year and over 66,000 cancer deaths per year, Cancer Coalition Philippines is calling on Congress as it resumes its sessions to prioritize the passage of the proposed National Integrated Cancer Control Act to halt the increasing burden of cancer epidemic. The Cancer Coalition Philippines, a broad national network of cancer patient support organizations, medical societies, and health advocates, cited the latest data from the Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates (PCS-DOH-PCHRD) which showed an increase in the incidence of cancer. "Our numbers here in the Philippines translate to around 11 new cases and 7 deaths every hour for adult cancers, and around 11 new cases and 8 deaths per day for childhood cancer. Many more remain uncounted, unrecorded and unreported. With this data, we hope Congress sees cancer as an urgent health concern that needs legislative action now to address the different gaps in the cancer control program" shared Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, the coalition co-chair. The coalition acknowledges that the multiple challenges in the current cancer control program should be addressed by looking from the lens of the entire cancer continuum of prevention, detection, correct diagnosis, early and proper treatment, survivorship and palliative care. "We believe the proper response to this urgent health issue should be an integrated approach, to cover all aspects of cancer care, at the same time, national in scope so that no cancer patient will be left behind" added Carmen Auste, a coalition member. In the Senate, 16 Senators endorsed the bill, led Senators JV Ejercito, Sonny Angara, Loren Legarda and Nancy Binay, while in the House of Representatives, over 200 members signed the substitute version of the bill, Among the authors are Representatives Helen Tan (Quezon), Alfred Vargas (5th Dist QC), Karlo Nograles (1st District Davao), Jericho Nograles, (PBA Partylist), Chiqui Roa Puno (1st District Antipolo City) and Bernadette Herrera-Dy (BH Partylist). A salient provision of the bill seeks to create a Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF), a supplemental fund to support the medical and treatment assistance programs for patients. "The financial burden can be overwhelming, given that financial risk protection mechanisms are limited and patients often need to shell out money from their own pockets to pay for treatment and other costs," added Dr. Rachel Rosario, a coalition member. "There is a high incidence of treatment non-compliance and abandonment due to high out-of-pocket payment in relation to the financial capacity of patients and their families." Dr. Ramon Severino, the coalition co-chair explains that "a comprehensive national cancer plan is long overdue. We need more pathologists, we need more oncologists. We have limited nurses trained in oncology. Our cancer centers are mostly located in Metro Manila, and some big cities. When you all add this up, and compare it with the number of cancer cases, then you will see why we need to act now." If the bill gets the nod of Congress, a Cancer Care Infrastructure and Service Delivery Network will be set into motion, where Regional Cancer Care Centers will be strengthened or set up, with the capability of making available and accessible, high quality cancer services such as screening, diagnosis, optimal treatment and care, supportive and palliative care, supported by well-trained team with proper equipment. The regional cancer centers will likewise provide for separate units and facilities for children and adolescents with cancer. The bill also will push for oncology-related academic curricula for higher educational institutions (HEIs). Oliver Calasanz, another coalition member shared that cancer survivors are also almost left alone after being declared cancer-free. "They still need support. Some are left without jobs, and they see the world differently as they become more cautious." In the current version of the bill, all legislators are unanimous in wanting to extend PWD benefits to cancer survivors. "We need to prioritize cancer now. Because in the current set up, we already see so many gaps. Imagine what can happen by 2030 when it is projected by WHO that cancer cases will increase by 80% more in developing countries like the Philippines. That will really put so much strain on our health systems. So we hope Congress passes the National Integrated Cancer Control Act now, so we start to see an increase in survivorship and improved health outcomes for Filipinos with cancer," added Paul Perez the coalition spokesperson."