QC solon pushes for breast cancer center in Novaliches

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QUEZON City Rep. Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas yesterday appealed to the House leadership to facilitate the approval of his pet bill which seeks to establish a breast cancer center in Novaliches to provide accessible, affordable, and quality breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment services.

The lawmaker made the appeal for the passage of House Bill No. 3500 entitled “An Act Establishing a Mammography and Breast Cancer Center in Novaliches” in line with the global observance of World Cancer Day today.

“Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among Filipinas with thousands of new cases detected annually. Through this bill, we aim to bring essential breast cancer services, through early detection and proper treatment, particularly in District V, where access to specialized health care remains a challenge,” said Vargas, whose bill remains pending before the House Committee on Health.

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The fight against cancer is deeply personal for the lawmaker and his brother, former congressman and now Councilor Alfred Vargas, who lost their mother to the disease.

When he was still a congressman, Alfred was one of the principal authors of Republic Act 11215 known as the National Integrated Cancer Care Act, a landmark legislation that strengthened cancer prevention and treatment in the country.

PM Vargas said the envisioned mammography and breast cancer center will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for breast cancer screening, early diagnosis, and patient support programs. It will also provide subsidized mammograms for indigent patients and conduct awareness campaigns to encourage early detection.

“Having experienced it firsthand, we understand the emotional, physical, and financial toll that the disease takes in every affected family. As lawmakers, we are in a vantage point where we can champion stronger policies that ease the struggles of cancer patients and their loved ones,” Vargas added.

The World Health Organization reports that in 2022, the Philippines had the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia, while cancer, in general, represents the third leading cause of death in the country.

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