February 4, 2025 | SB Park, Batasan Hills, Quezon City
The Quezon City Government in collaboration with the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO), Philippine Cancer Society (PCS), the Philippine Society of Oncologists (PSO), and the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD), proudly participated in the first-ever city-led World Cancer Day celebration in the Philippines. Held on February 4, 2025, at SB Park, Batasan Hills, Quezon City, this landmark event carried the theme “ACT NOW: 30-Days Screening to Treatment,” marking a pivotal step in the nation’s commitment to cancer awareness, prevention, and equitable access to treatment.
A Historic Milestone in Cancer Advocacy
This groundbreaking event brought together leading organizations, healthcare institutions, and government agencies to address the critical gaps in cancer care. As a pioneering city-led initiative, the World Cancer Day campaign highlighted the urgency of early detection and immediate intervention, reinforcing the need for continuous collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Quezon City has long been at the forefront of public health initiatives, and this campaign represents a key milestone in its ongoing commitment to cancer prevention and treatment. With the support of key stakeholders—including the Department of Health (DOH), East Avenue Medical Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, St. Luke’s Medical Center-Quezon City, Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPEIGO), Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), The George Institute for Global Health, Cancer Coalition Philippines, and Noman is an Island—this event underscored the importance of unifying efforts to strengthen the country’s cancer care infrastructure.
PSMO’s Role in the ACT NOW Initiative
The ACT NOW: 30-Days Screening to Treatment campaign aims to bridge the gap between early detection and timely intervention, ensuring that patients receive the care they need without delay. PSMO played a critical role in advancing this initiative by:
- Advocating for streamlined patient pathways from screening to treatment within 30 days.
- Promoting multidisciplinary cancer care through expert-led discussions.
- Supporting educational efforts to enhance public awareness of various cancer types and treatment options.
- Strengthening collaboration between oncology specialists, hospitals, and community health providers to improve patient navigation systems.
- Encouraging research and evidence-based practices to refine cancer care strategies in the Philippines.
Key Event Highlights and Cancer Care Innovations
The Philippine Society of Medical Oncologists (PSMO) played a crucial role in the World Cancer Day 2025 celebration, which aimed to increase cancer awareness, promote early detection, and improve patient outcomes. The event featured a range of educational sessions and health services, empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources needed to combat cancer effectively.
Unveiling the 30-Day Screening-to-Treatment Initiative
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the “ACT NOW: 30-Days Screening to Treatment” program, an initiative designed to:
✔ Broaden access to screening programs for lung, breast, and cervical cancers.
✔ Enhance coordination between healthcare providers to ensure timely referrals.
✔ Streamline patient access to diagnostic, treatment, and support services through an integrated hospital-community network.
The Quezon City government’s commitment to cancer care was highlighted in the welcome remarks of Atty. Rene Grapilon, while Dr. Corazon A. Ngelangel (PCS President) emphasized the importance of sustained cancer control efforts. Dr. Jan Aura Llevado (DOH Cancer Control Division Chief) provided an overview of the national government’s cancer prevention initiatives.
Leading the campaign launch, Dr. Herdee Gloriane Luna calls for action to ACT NOW integrating screening, treatment, and support services within a 30-day timeline and encouraging partners towards this bayanihan (community cooperation) pooling screening and treatment resources, proper training and identification of cancer navigators and bridging patient to treatment completion. Attendees were also given QR codes for free breast and lung pre-cancer screenings, improving public accessibility to cancer detection services. The BMJ February 2025 publication by PCS and the George Institute for Global Health concluded that implementing the ACT NOW Breast Cancer Early Detection program on a larger scale could be a cost-effective solution, reducing costs by 29% over five years.
Strengthening Cancer Care Through Strategic Collaboration
The event underscored the importance of multisectoral partnerships in delivering efficient, high-quality cancer care. Key initiatives included:
✔ The formalization of a community oncology partnership between SLMC-QC and QCHD, with Dr. Rubi K. Li and Dr. Karen Gemma See leading discussions on enhancing patient referral pathways.
✔ Dr. Mary Claire Soliman (Chair, Cancer Care Center, East Avenue Medical Center) facilitated a discussion on resource optimization and healthcare training initiatives.
✔ A ceremonial call-to-action, where stakeholders pledged their commitment to the “ACT NOW: 30-Day Screening to Treatment” movement (see photo) as described by Dr. Adeline Gonzales of PSMO.
Cancer Prevention, Screening, and Awareness Initiatives
Several programs were launched to strengthen cancer prevention efforts and early screening programs:
✔ A large-scale HPV vaccination drive in Quezon City to reduce cervical cancer rates. The Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) endorses the NOMAN and GAMH call for global gender-neutral HPV vaccination.
✔ Dr. Guia Elena Imelda Ladrera (Lung Center of the Philippines) led a discussion on the importance of lung cancer screening and smoking cessation programs.
✔ Atty. Allan Chester Nadate (Health Futures Foundation, Inc.) presented an analysis of legal frameworks supporting cancer prevention, including anti-smoking regulations.
Empowering Barangay Leaders in Cancer Advocacy
✔ Dr. Karen Gemma See introduced the “ACT NOW Cancer Control (Barangay) Ambassadors of Hope” initiative and call to action, encouraging barangays to take an active role in community-based cancer prevention.
✔ Barangay health workers and cancer coordinators were recognized for their contributions to patient advocacy and local cancer awareness programs.
Educational Discussions and Patient Engagement
The event featured expert-led discussions on cancer treatment and supportive care, including:
✔ Dr. Arthur Jason Go (PSMO) – Lung Cancer Awareness adn Screening
✔ Dr. JC Kenneth Jacinto (PROS) – Breast Cancer Screening
✔ Dr. Frances Lily Penano (PROS) – Cervical Cancer Prevention
✔ Dr. Luziminda Kwong (PSO, PSP)– Supportive Care for Cancer Patients
An interactive patient forum provided attendees the opportunity to seek medical advice and learn about available support services.
💜 Through continued collaboration, PSMO remains committed to leading advancements in cancer care and ensuring that no Filipino faces cancer alone.
PSMO’s Commitment to Advancing Cancer Care in the Philippines
The Philippine Society of Medical Oncology remains steadfast in its mission to:
- Advance oncology research and promote evidence-based cancer treatment.
- Strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration among oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and palliative care specialists.
- Advocate for equitable access to cancer care, particularly in underserved communities.
- Support government initiatives in crafting and implementing effective cancer control policies.
- Enhance training programs for medical professionals to improve early diagnosis and patient-centered treatment approaches.
A Call to ACT NOW
In his closing remarks, Dr. Chita Matunog, President of the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, Dr. Warren Bacorro, President of the Philippine Society of Oncologists, and Miss Carmen Auste, CEO of the Cancer Warriors Foundation, emphasized the significance of collective action in the fight against cancer.
This event, was fully supported by Dr. Hiyasmin Alejandro, Dr. Cyrielle Atotubo, Dr. Danielle Leonardo, Dr. Kristine Tejada, Dr. Anna Maree Bermudez from the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology.
PSMO and its partners call on all sectors of society to join the ACT NOW movement, ensuring that every cancer patient in the Philippines receives timely, comprehensive, and compassionate care. Together, we can make a difference.
