BAGUIO CITY – Cancer is no longer a death sentence
“Cancer is no longer a ‘rich man’s disease’ because of government financial assistance and the Generics Law,” said Marivic “Ambic” Bugasto , a stage 4 breast cancer survivor and advocate, emphasizing a cancer diagnosis is no longer the death sentence it was once feared to be.
However, she admitted that social stigma remains. She shared the story of a recent 60-year-old patient who delayed consultation until her condition became untreatable. By the time the patient sought help, she had already reached the “end-of-life” stage.
“Many people are still afraid. But the LGU is active in the barangays, and health centers are conducting rounds for screening,” Bugasto said.
Data from the Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO) shows that cancer was the second leading cause of death in Baguio City from 2022 through 2024. The number of reported cancer-related deaths climbed steadily over those three years, with 409 cases in 2022, 466 cases in 2023, and 566 cases logged in 2024.
In 2024, breast cancer emerged as the most frequently recorded type in the city, followed by lung and blood-related cancers. These figures underscore why early detection, advocacy, and screenings are vital.
Bugasto noted that the combination of affordable medicine and early detection is the city’s best ally against the disease. The CHSO provides programs and services at the barangay level, including support from Malasakit Centers, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Cancer Assistance Fund, which covers both diagnostic tests and chemotherapy medications.
Bugasto added that community advocacy groups, such as “I Can Serve,” also provide essential assistance for diagnostics.
In observance of Cancer Awareness Month, health experts debunked common myths about the disease, such as the misconception that physical trauma causes breast cancer. Instead, experts pointed toward lifestyle factors, environmental triggers, and the importance of regular self-screenings. Maria Elena Catajan with reports from Angela Dawn Gonzales and Dianne Ysabel Mallare, UP Baguio Interns