Though breast cancer is also very much a political
issue, the Philippine Breast Cancer Network maintains its distance from
endorsing or aligning itself with any candidate or party in the forthcoming May
9th elections. Regardless of the results, breast cancer affects all
women whatever her political color. To maintain its integrity and advocacy, the
PBCN focuses on what needs to be done to prevent breast cancer towards the
ultimate eradication of this environmental health epidemic.
Of the following distinctions of the
Philippines, what can be said to be lamentable and unacceptable?
1. It
is the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia since 500 years ago;
2. It
is said to be the oldest democracy in Asia since a century ago;
3. It
is the only country in Asia where English is widely spoken since a century ago;
and
4. It
has the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in Asia and the 10th
highest worldwide since the past three decades.
Sadly though, the country’s political system has remained
basically feudal and has yet to mature even after having ousted the Marcos
dictatorship 30 years ago. Absent of a strong political party system, national
public officials have continued to be elected simply based on pure popularity. Being
such, legislators have all been ignorant on this public health epidemic and they
have all always focused on early detection which is definitely far from
prevention. Take for example, Senate Bill No. 1873 authored by Sen. Trillanes, SBN
2114 authored by Sen. Santiago and SBN 354 authored by Sen. Legarda. Worst of
all, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s SBN 2114 during the 16th
Congress was lifted almost entirely word for word from the US Senate Bill 931 of the 113th Congress.
Early in the term of President Noynoy
Aquino, PhilHealth launched a Z Program providing free medical treatment for
breast cancer. The PBCN registered its concerns on how the program would result
in much over diagnosis and over treatment, other than not being able to cure breast
cancer. Then by the latter part of his term, PhilHealth embarked on the wide
distribution of contraceptive implants which will place many mothers at very
high risk of getting breast cancer later on. At the end of his term, both of
these programs will not be evaluated nor will the public ever hear about them
because of their failures.
Now even cancer is being used as a vehicle for
political office. This Cancer Party List aims for cancer patients and PWD’s to live a life of freedom through
access to quality healthcare, medication, and equal rights through the
following:
1. Raising
cancer awareness
2. The
development and implementation of policies that benefit cancer patients and PWD’s
3. The
rehabilitation and care of cancer patients and their loved ones.
Are not their aims and goals also of the Department of Health?
The PBCN turned down an invitation to join or support this party list primarily
because it is no different from the Philippine Cancer Society.
All
Presidential, Senatorial and Congressional candidates are thus challenged by
the Philippine Breast Cancer Network to enact laws and directives to protect all
women from the scourge of breast cancer, a few of which are the following which
will not cost government a centavo:
1.
STOP mandatory annual chest
x-rays for all government employees and make it optional for companies and
schools during pre-employment and pre-enrollment. This alone will drastically
reduce breast cancer because all women regardless of health status are being
unnecessary exposed regularly to at least 1,000 millirads of radiation.
2. STOP the use of hormonal contraceptives in its
population control program because breast cancer is a hormonal disease. Women
will not be placed at risk of breast cancer when the use of other methods such
as condoms and rhythm method are encouraged instead.
3. STOP operations of air-water-soil
contaminating industries regardless of environmental clearances - specially
identified mining operations that continue to spill cyanide and mercury in the
waterways of our country.
4.
STOP
the use of triclosan and parabens in all productions of various cosmetics and bath soaps/shampoos
among other common consumer products. A Safety Chemical Act needs to be
legislated to keep our people healthy and not be at risk of developing cancer from these identified
carcinogenic substances.
FREEDOM
FROM BREAST CANCER!
