Asia-Pacific Framework seen to strengthen PH Lung Cancer program

LUNG cancer remains the country’s deadliest cancer, claiming an estimated 23,000 Filipino lives in 2022 and accounting for the highest cancer mortality nationwide. With survival rates still far below global benchmarks, health leaders are calling for the localization of a regionally developed policy framework to close gaps in early detection, diagnosis and access to treatment.Aspire calls for local action on screening, prevention and treatment accessThe American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham Philippines) convened medical experts, patient advocates and policymakers at the “Stronger Together: Uniting Sectors for Lung Cancer Prevention and Care” forum, where discussions were anchored on the Asia-Pacific Lung Cancer Policy Consensus Document, a regional policy framework developed through the initiative.Frederic Ivan Ting, clinician-scientist specializing in medical oncology, said Aspire outlines five policy pillars tailored for Asia-Pacific health systems: strengthened prevention, earlier detection, equitable access to treatment, deeper partnerships and stigma reduction.He noted that patient profiles are also shifting with more young adults and nonsmokers being diagnosed, patterns tied to environmental factors, indoor pollution and second-hand smoke.“Policies only become meaningful when services actually reach communities,” Ting said, emphasizing that misdiagnosis and slow diagnostic timelines continue to delay care.Ting added that modern treatment standards have moved beyond chemotherapy with immunotherapy and targeted therapies offering significantly better survival and quality of life.However, access in the Philippines remains limited due to high out-of-pocket costs, reinforcing the need for stronger government investment and improved PhilHealth support.Paolo Borromeo, Healthcare Sector lead of the Private Sector Advisory Council or PSAC, expressed support for the Aspire-aligned recommendations, noting that multisector collaboration — from government to private hospitals and industry partners — is essential to strengthen the lung cancer care pathway.Stigma, delayed diagnosis and uneven access persistBeyond policy, the forum also underscored patient experiences. Emer Rojas, a 23-year survivor, highlighted stigma as a major deterrent to early care.“Many fear the illness itself, but many fear even more the uncertainty and financial burden that comes with treatment,” he said, stressing that 15 percent of cases occur among people who never smoked. Rojas welcomed the emergence of artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostic tools but noted that affordability remains a challenge for most families.Government expresses supportAppearing on behalf of United Senior Citizens Party-list Representative Milagros Aquino Magsaysay, Angie Limanzarez-Martinez acknowledged identified gaps in service delivery.The member officer from the House Health Committee said, “We acknowledge that challenge in government service delivery. We will continue to push and work for improvements.”