Filipino women must better get cancer screening the soonest to pull down the country’s reputation of having Asian’s highest mortality rates in breast cancer, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said.
‘The Philippines has said extremely low breast cancer screening rates, which is linked to the country having one of the highest breast cancer mortality rates in Asia,’ the PhilHealth said.
The Philippine Institute for Development Studies said its 2023 study shows that only one percent of Filipino women was screened for cancer, translating to only 540,000 women out of an estimated 54 million getting screened.
‘Compounding the issue is that a significant majority-as high as 65 percent-of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in the advanced stage, greatly reducing the five-year relative survival rate,’ it said, urging Filipino women to heed its Breast Cancer Awareness Month advocacy to get screen for early detection if possible.
It assured that PhilHealth members of their financial coverage for breast cancer treatment under the PhilHealth Z Benefit Package for Breast Cancer, which it said has been substantially enhanced.
‘The package has increased by 1300 percent, reaching up to P1.4 million from the previous P100,000,’ it added, saying the benefit now covers patients with breast cancer across Stages 0 to 4, including those who are already undergoing treatment.
As of September 2025, the amount paid for Z Benefit Package for Breast Cancer has reached P72.03 million.
The PhilHealth said its Yaman ng Kalusugan, or Yakap, program further reinforced this as it covers selected outpatient cancer screening tests for breast cancer including financial coverage for a mammogram (P2,610) and breast ultrasound (P1,350).
‘By providing extensive financial protection from initial diagnostic tests to complex targeted therapy, PhilHealth aims to remove the cost as a barrier and encourage patients to seek care early, improving outcomes for a disease that is curable when detected in its initial stages,’ it said.
‘Through PhilHealth Yakap, we make it faster and more affordable the health services. I encourage every Filipino woman not to skip on your health. Have yourself checked, follow it up, and comply with the prescribed medication and treatment. This is your right and we are here to support you,’ said PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Edwin M. Mercado.