CONGRESS should consider transferring even a small part of the P10-billion confidential funds in the 2024 budget to save about 9,000 Filipinas who die of breast cancer each year, according to Kasuso Foundation. 

“In behalf of our Filipina sisters who are suffering and whose pain can be prevented and eased, Kasuso Foundation is joining other cancer groups in asking Congress for more funds for early cancer detection and treatment,” Kasuso Foundation convenor Aileen Antolin said in a statement on Sunday. 

Each year, there are about 27,000 new breast cancer cases, while 9,000 who were diagnosed in previous years die, the group that educates women on cancer prevention and survival said. 

Data show only 1% percent of Filipinas get tested for cancer each year — probably the lowest in the world — compared with 20% in neighboring countries and 50% in rich countries, Kasuso said. 

The congressional budget for cancer this year is only 1.56 billion. 

Ms. Antolin said the extra budget next year would help women who test positive to prevent their breast cancer from progressing. — NPA

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