BAGUIO CITY – Cancer Control, Awareness, and Prevention was one of the key topics highlighted for this month’s City Hall Hour by the Baguio Public Information Office (PIO), conducted on the 12th of February 2025 at the Baguio Convention Center.
Cancer Control and Program Manager Dr. Ana Marie R. Banta, provided the updates on the cancer cases in the city. “For Baguio City, it has been noted since 2022 up to 2024 (that) cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in Baguio City. This is compared to 2021, kung saan naging 3rd lang po kasi ang cancer.”
As for the cancer incidence within the city, there has been an increase in the number of deaths – with 409 deaths in 2022, 466 deaths in 2023, and 566 deaths in 2024, based on the signed death certificates in the Health Services Office.
Based on Dr. Ana’s report, the top 3 organs that are affected by primary cancer are lung cancer (2022 – 2023) and breast cancer (2024), with colon cancer, brain cancer, and blood cancer ranking as the 3rd most frequent type of cancer for the past three years.
The implementation of the public health cancer program involves the detection of early warning signs and symptoms, highlighting the importance of early screening and prevention tips or “TED” (Tamang Pagkain, Ehersisyo, Disciplina), and Government Support.
“Sabi ko nga, nasa public health sector kami, so yung importance ng early screening – bakit kailangan maaga na magpacheck-up? Kasi syempre, para maaga ang gamutan at mas mataas ang posibilidad na gumaling ka.”, Dr. Ana said.
Furthermore, Dr. Ana shared the city’s efforts to prevent cancer through the localization of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) with the approval of the Ordinance of the Baguio City Integrated Cancer Control Program and city-wide screening for breast and cervical cancer, Cancer Awareness Activities, and more programs that can benefit and provide health services for cancer patients.
The government has certain programs para hindi po ganun kabigat ang gastos natin sa treatment at syempre, para mas maaga po malaman kung meron nga o wala.” Dr. Ana mentioned future activities under the program to be conducted this month, which are in line with the celebration of this year’s National Cancer Prevention and Awareness Month. “In our health centers, we conduct free check-ups and tests, such as Visual Inspections with Acetic Acid (VIA) and Clinical Breast Exams (CBE) at the City Hall Clinic every 4th Thursday of the month.”
In coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Baguio General Hospital’s (BGH) OB Department, there will be a culminating activity on 24 February 2025 at Malcolm Square from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, where they will be conducting CBEs, VIAs, Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) for men and chest xrays.
Concluding the section of the city hall hour, Dr. Ana announced an invitation for the Cancer Awareness and Screening Drive on 24 February 2025, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Malcolm Square (People’s Park) for free cancer screening and more programs that help provide a city-wide approach to cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship. By Agnes Dela Peña
