BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Health Services Office (HSO) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing free cancer screening services, aiming to foster a proactive approach to health among residents. City Health Officer, Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, announced on Wednesday that these screenings will be integrated into regular health activities, complementing existing cancer awareness campaigns.

Dr. Brillantes emphasized the significance of the Local Integrated Cancer Care Ordinance, authored by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda and passed in 2024, which has facilitated the implementation of preventive and responsive public health programs. "We urge residents to utilize the initial screening services available at their local district health centers, from which they can be referred to the central health center for more comprehensive testing," Dr. Brillantes stated. She highlighted that breast and cervical cancer screenings are routinely conducted at the district level.

Early detection, she stressed, is crucial in mitigating severe complications and reducing mortality rates.

Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, chairperson of the City Council’s Committee on Health and Sanitation, Ecology, and Environmental Protection, underscored the role of a healthy lifestyle in minimizing cancer risks in a phone interview. She also conveyed a message of hope, noting that advancements in medical treatments have transformed cancer from a terminal diagnosis to a manageable condition. Tabanda reiterated her strong advocacy for cancer prevention, early detection, and ensuring accessible and affordable treatment for patients.

In related news, Presidential Adviser for Cordillera Assistant Secretary Antonio Tabora Jr., speaking at the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club induction on Tuesday evening, disclosed his request to the Department of Health-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) to prioritize anti-cervical cancer vaccination drives in the provinces of Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Abra. "Our goal is to ensure equitable access to healthcare, particularly for those in underserved areas," Tabora stated, emphasizing the need to prevent these provinces from being overlooked.