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Also, the matters contained in the following were written in accordance with the law, rules, and jurisprudence prevailing at the time of writing and posting, and do not include any future developments on the subject matter under discussion.
AT A GLANCE
- Cancer refers to a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body.
- The National Integrated Cancer Control Program is hereby established which shall serve as the framework for all cancer-related activities of the government.
- Cancer awareness is important to impart with the people the importance of educating themselves on the cause, prevention, and possible cure of cancer.
As there is a necessity to arouse public awareness on the dangers of cancer and on cancer prevention control, the third week of January of every year is thereby proclaimed to be as the “National Consciousness Week” under the auspices of the Philippine Cancer Society, Inc., the Department of Health and all involved organizations. (Proclamation No. 1348, Series of 1974)
The Philippine Cancer Society, Inc. is a private, non-stock, non-profit corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
How is cancer defined?
The law says:
Cancer refers to a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Other terms used are malignant tumors and neoplasms. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs. (Section 3(b), Republic Act No. 11215 also known as the National Integrated Cancer Control Act)
As the State recognizes that cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines, it shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which includes the strengthening of integrative, multidisciplinary, patient and family-centered cancer control policies, programs, systems, interventions, and services at all levels of the existing health care delivery system. (Section 2, R.A. No. 11215)
The National Integrated Cancer Control Program is hereby established which shall serve as the framework for all cancer-related activities of the government. Alongside the said program, the National Integrated Cancer Control Council is created which shall act as the policy making, planning, and coordinating body on cancer control, attached to the Department of Health. (Section 5, R.A. No. 11215)
What are the objectives of the National Integrated Cancer Control Program?
The law says:
Section 4. National Integrated Cancer Control Program. – There is hereby established a National Integrated Cancer Control Program which shall serve as the framework for all cancer-related activities of the government. The program shall have the following objectives:
(a) Decrease the overall mortality and impact of all adult and childhood cancer;
(b) Lessen the incidence of preventable cancer in adults and children;
(c) Prevent cancer recurrence, metastasis and secondary cancer among survivors and people living with cancer;
(d) Provide timely access to optimal cancer treatment and care for all cancer patients;
(e) Make cancer treatment and care more affordable and accessible;
(f) Improve the experience of cancer treatment and care of patients and families;
(g) Support the recovery and reintegration to society of cancer survivors; and
(h) Eliminate various forms of burden on patients, people living with cancer, survivors and their families. (Section 4, R.A. No. 11215)
The law likewise provides for affordable cancer care and treatment. What is the Cancer Assistance Fund?
The law says:
Section 20. Establishment of Cancer Assistance Fund. – There is hereby established a Cancer Assistance Fund to support the cancer medicine and treatment assistance program. The DOH shall manage the Fund in accordance with existing budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations and shall make a quarterly report to the Office of the President and Congress on the disbursement of the Fund.
The DOH may sohcit and receive donations which shall form part of the Fund and such donations shall be exempt from income or donor’s tax and all other taxes, fees and charges imposed by the government. Likewise, fund raising activities may be conducted by the Council and the proceeds of which shall accrue to the Fund and shall be exempt from any and all taxes.
Receipts from donations, whether in cash or in kind, shall be accounted for in the books of the donee government agency in accordance with accounting and auditing rules and regulations. The receipts from cash donations and proceeds from sale of donated commodities shall be deposited with the National Treasury and recorded as a special account in the General Fund and shall be available to the implementing agency concerned through a special budget pursuant to Section 35, Chapter 5, Book VI of Executive Order No. 292. The cash value of the donations shall be deemed automatically appropriated for the purpose specified by the donor. Donations with a term not exceeding one (1) year shall be treated as trust receipts.
The donee-agency concerned shall submit the quarterly reports of all donations received, whether in cash or in kind, and expenditures or disbursements thereon with electronic signature to the DBM, through the Unified Reporting System, and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate of the Philippines, the House Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Finance and the Commission on Audit, by posting such reports on the donee-agency concerned websites for a period of three (3) years. The head of the donee-agency concerned shall send written notice to the said offices when said reports have been posted on its website which shall be considered the date of submission. (Section 20, R.A. No. 11215)
Cancer awareness is important to part with the people the importance of educating their selves on the cause, prevention, and possible cure of cancer.
The law says:
Section 15. Cancer Awareness Campaign. – The DOH shall intensify its cancer awareness campaign and provide the latest and evidence-based information for the prevention and treatment of cancer including practical advice, support and referral for cancer patients, people living with cancer, cancer survivors, their families and carers. The DOH, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, shall make full use of the latest technology to disseminate information to reach every Filipino.
The awareness campaign must increase cancer literacy and understanding of risk factors associated with cancer, dispel myths and misconceptions about cancer, and reduce the anxiety, fear, distress and uncertainty related to cancer. (Section 15, R.A. No. 11215)
How shall cancer awareness be raised in schools, colleges, and universities?
The law says:
Section 17. Health Education and Promotion in Schools, Colleges, and Universities. – The CHED and the Department of Education, in coordination with the DOH, shall develop policies and provide technical guidance to academic institutions and administrators to:
(a) Promote and facilitate integration of age appropriate and gender sensitive key messages on cancer risk factors, early warning signs and symptoms of adult cancer and childhood cancer, cancer prevention and control, and adoption of healthy lifestyles and healthy diets in their curriculum, health and wellness programs, and co-curricular activities;
(b) Undertake mainstreaming of practical supportive care and psychosocial support programs for people living with cancer, cancer survivors, and their family members, especially those who act as carers for cancer patients; and
(c) Adopt initiatives that minimize or eliminate stigma and discrimination in schools, colleges, and universities that are experienced by people with cancer, cancer survivors and their families. (Section 17, R.A. No. 11215)
How shall cancer awareness be raised in the workplace?
The law says:
Section 18. Health Education and Promotion in the Workplace. – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Civil Service Commission, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in coordination with the DOH, shall develop policies and provide technical guidance to employers, employees associations, and unions to:
(a) Promote and facilitate integration of gender sensitive key messages on cancer risk factors, early warning signs and symptoms of adult cancer and childhood cancer, cancer prevention and control, adoption of healthy lifestyles and healthy diets, in their communication initiatives, health and wellness programs, and employee development programs;
(b) Undertake mainstreaming of practical supportive care and psychosocial support programs for people living with cancer, cancer survivors, and their family members;
(c) Integrate appropriate cancer services in their health services and clinics; and
(d) Develop programs, initiatives or mechanisms that shall minimize or eliminate stigma and discrimination in the workplace that is experienced by people living with cancer, cancer survivors, and their families. (Section 18, R.A. No. 11215)
How shall cancer awareness be raised in communities?
The law says:
Section 19. Health Education and Promotion in Communities. – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and LGUs, in collaboration with the DOH central and regional offices, local cancer focused patient support organizations and cancer focused professional societies, shall lead the health education and promotion campaign in local communities, including out-of-school youth. The DILG, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), shall conduct and promote age appropriate and gender sensitive cancer-focused health education. (Section 19, R.A. No. 11215)
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