Group seeks creation of national cancer council

MANILA, Philippines — Health experts have called for the creation of a national council that will implement measures to protect cancer patients who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.

In a statement, Cancer Coalition of the Philippines president Paul Perez said under Republic Act 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), a national council would be established to act as the mandating agency in implementing the law.

“The council should act as a policy-making, planning and coordinating body on cancer control and should be attached with the Department of Health,” Perez said.

He said the landmark legislation addresses strategic gaps in the country’s cancer control program, including making cancer treatment and medicines more affordable and accessible, leading to a more positive health outcome, increasing survivorship, reducing incidence, lessening mortality and improving the well-being of patients and their family.

Studies showed that cancer patients infected with COVID-19 are 16 times more likely to be in the severe or critical stages, according to Perez.

Philippine Alliance of Patients Organization president Fatima Lorenzo said the law was signed in February 2019 but it remains to be implemented.

The NICCA Council was envisioned to provide guidance and support to cancer patients, especially the elderly, women and the poor.

Corazon Ngelangel, president of the Philippine Cancer Society and professor emeritus at UP College of Medicine, said cancer affected 19.3 million individuals and resulted in 10 million deaths globally in 2020.

In the Philippines, Ngelangel said cancer cases reached 153,571 last year while cancer-related deaths hit 92,606.