These are all diseases with very high mortality and metastasis rates, especially when the disease is only detected at a late stage - which is a common condition in our country.
The main causes of these cancers often come from many factors: genetics, unhealthy diet, lack of green vegetables, smoking, drinking alcohol, viral infections such as HPV (causing cervical cancer) or HBV (causing liver cancer), exposure to toxic substances, environmental pollution and lack of regular health check-ups.
According to reports from the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the mortality and metastasis rates of these diseases are at an alarming level. Lung cancer has a mortality rate of over 75%, with over 70% of patients being diagnosed with metastasis. Liver cancer (HCC) kills over 80% of cases and often has no obvious symptoms until the late stages. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but if detected late, the mortality rate exceeds 40%. Colon cancer has a mortality rate of over 35%, and is highly likely to metastasize to the liver or lungs if not treated early. Cervical cancer, while preventable through vaccination and screening, still has a mortality rate of 25–30%.
In terms of cost, each cycle of chemotherapy or radiotherapy in the Philippines costs an average of ₱200,000 to ₱1 million, and most patients have to undergo multiple cycles. In cases where the disease has metastasized, treatment can last from 6 months to several years, and the total cost can be up to ₱2–5 million or more. This does not include additional costs such as surgery, supportive medications, post-treatment care, and repeat testing – creating a huge economic burden for patients and their families.