Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer among women worldwide. Survival rate, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), differs across countries, with as much as 80% chance of survival in developed countries and a low of 40% in poorer countries.
Many times, women succumb to cancer because they cannot afford the high cost of medical treatments, opting instead to wait and pray for a miracle.
For Filipina women who can afford the treatments, there is a high probability of going into complete remission. But they also suffer the most financially in the aftermath of the disease, especially when it recurs.
For Editha, a housewife and mother of three, cancer struck when she was just 39 years old. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in the summer of 2001. Soon after, Editha had her left breast removed.
But more than the physical pain brought by the disease, Editha and her family suffered greatly from the financial burden of the cancer treatments. Despite the huge amounts of money shelled out for her treatments, however, Editha’s cancer recurred less than two years later.
Editha succumbed to cancer shortly after. She was 41 years old.
Next: Cancer in the Philippines
One out of two Filipino cancer patients die within a year after diagnosis
“Contrary to the way most of us feel about the disease, cancer does not strike you when you are old,” says Peter Grimes, President and CEO of FWD Life Philippines (FWD), an insurance company.
Seventy-five percent of Filipinos diagnosed with cancer are below 50 years old.
“It is a cruel thing and, unfortunately, a lot of Filipinos continue to suffer from it,” said Grimes.
According to the WHO, cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. In 2012 alone, there were 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths.
In the Philippines, according to the Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, cancer is the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines. The most common cancer types, accounting for 62% of cancer cases nationwide, are lung, breast, cervix, liver, colon and rectum, prostate, stomach, oral cavity, ovary and leukemia.
“There is at present a low cancer prevention consciousness and most cancer patients seek consultation only at advanced stages. Cancer survival rates are relatively low,” reads a report on the online resource.
In Baguio City, records of the city health office show that at least one person dies from the disease per day, a majority of which are lung cancer patients. Meanwhile, the Baguio General Hospital also noted four new cases of lung cancer a week, and at least ten people are diagnosed with liver cancer each month.
And for every two Filipinos who suffer from cancer, one is likely to succumb to the disease within a year after its diagnosis.
Next: Fight plan
Fight Plan
“Cancer-stricken Filipinos are left with very little opportunities to triumph against the disease, primarily because cancer is discovered during its late stages and most families are financially incapable to afford the necessary treatments,” reads a press release by FWD.
The insurance company offers a financial package aimed at cushioning the financial blow cancer deals on Filipino families, aptly dubbed “Fight Plan”, with premiums varying accordingly, depending on age, gender, and other factors.
“I think for somebody around typically the late 20s, 30s, we have a million pesos of coverage for around Php 8,000-Php 9,000 premium per year,” he explained, adding that this is much less than a cup of coffee a day or the latest version of iPhone.
Grimes also said that most Filipinos rely on insurance plans offered by Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) with an average of Php 200,000 coverage, which is not enough when coping with a serious illness.
“It's not enough money and it is when death can easily be prevented, and the only thing stopping you is if you don't have financial resources to have the right medical treatment,” Grimes added.
Read: For better or worse: Wife sings to husband with brain cancer
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