ILOILO — Women across Western Visayas are being urged to undergo regular breast cancer screening as the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) offers free or subsidized diagnostic tests and treatment coverage of up to P1.4 million under its expanded benefits packages.
Early detection could significantly improve a patient’s chances of survival and allow her to access treatment before the disease advances, said PhilHealth Region 6 vice president Marjorie Cabrieto.
Breast cancer remains the leading cancer among Filipino women, yet many patients may not recognize the danger until the disease has progressed.
“Many women may not realize they are at risk until it is too late. This is why regular check-up — every six months or annually — are crucial,” Cabrieto stressed during a PhilHealth-6 press conference on Aug. 11.
Stage 0 breast cancer is confined to its original location and has not yet spread, giving patients a significantly better chance of successful treatment.
“We would like to inform our members: please kadto kamo for breast screening sa inyo YAKAP clinics. Kon wala, kadto kamo sa hospitals nga accredited namon para ma-check up and avail sang Z benefit packages, especially for breast cancer,” Cabrieto said.
Women should not wait for a lump or other symptoms to appear before seeking medical attention, he added.
“Mahal ang breast cancer, pero I am proud to say nga ginabayaran ina siya naton. So sa aton mga kababainhan, indi na maghulat nga magtubo ang bukol. Dapat every six months, or every year magpa-check-up,” Cabrieto.
As of Aug. 10, 2026, PhilHealth Region 6 had paid P25.723 million in Breast Cancer Z Package claims for 315 patients in the region.
The amount followed the P33.24 million that the agency paid for similar breast cancer services in 2025.
Depending on a patient’s treatment requirements, the Z Package provides benefits ranging from P100,000 to P1.4 million.
Coverage includes diagnostic procedures, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, medicines and continuing surveillance for patients from Stage 0 to Stage 4.
The package also covers Trastuzumab, a medicine used to treat certain types of breast cancer. A complete 18-session treatment regimen may cost nearly P1 million.
In Western Visayas, the Breast Cancer Z Package is available at two accredited healthcare institutions: the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, and the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, PhilHealth members may obtain free or subsidized outpatient breast cancer screening through clinics accredited under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program, or YAKAP.
PhilHealth provides P2,610 in coverage for a mammogram and P1,350 for a breast ultrasound, reducing the cost of examinations intended to detect the disease at an early stage.
“Early detection can significantly improve outcomes,” Cabrieto said./PN
