House bill seeks wider health coverage for breast cancer

MANILA, Philippines - Citing the high incidence of breast cancer in the country, a pending bill in the House of Representatives seeks to require health plans to expand coverage for detection and treatment of breast cancer. House Bill 4896 requires health plans to provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations. Author Rep. Narciso Santiago III pointed out that breast cancer is the second leading type of cancer for both sexes in the Philippines. "It ranks first among women and the country has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia," an article posted on the House website quoted Santiago as saying. He cited 1998 data that showed that in the estimated 9,325 new cases diagnosed, about 3,057 women died of breast cancer. Santiago also said that although there is no known primary prevention method against breast cancer there are effective secondary prevention ways to detect or screen for breast cancer at an early stage. "Detection at an early stage should be followed by early treatment which eventually results in decreased mortality from the disease. Breast cancer can be cured when detected early and given the proper treatment," he said. Santiago pushed for the inclusion of in-patient, and in the case of a lumpectomy, out-patient coverage and radiation therapy for breast cancer treatment as part of the health insurance coverage under a group health plan. But such a coverage or plan may not restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay to less than 48 hours in connection with a mastectomy or breast conserving surgery such as lumpectomy for the treatment of breast cancer. "Neither may it restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with a lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer to less than 24 hours," the bill said. The bill also ensures full coverage for secondary consultations by specialists in the appropriate medical fields, including pathology, radiology, and oncology, provided for such secondary consultation whether such consultation is based on a positive or negative initial diagnosis. - GMANews.TV