Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11215)
Republic Act No. 11215 shall be known as the "National Integrated Cancer Control Act".
The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development to prevent cancer and improve cancer survivorship by enhancing prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, survivorship care, and affordability of cancer care for all Filipinos, especially the underprivileged and marginalized.
Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases characterized by rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries and can invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs.
The Council is composed of: (a) Secretary of Health (chairperson), (b) elected vice-chairperson, (c) ex officio members including Secretaries of Social Welfare and Development, Labor and Employment, Interior and Local Government, President/CEO of PhilHealth, Director General of FDA, (d) two medical doctors skilled in oncology appointed by the President, and (e) three representatives from cancer-focused patient support organizations appointed by the President.
The objectives include decreasing cancer mortality, lessening incidence of preventable cancer, preventing recurrence and metastasis, providing timely access to optimal treatment, making care more affordable, improving patient experience, supporting recovery and reintegration of survivors, and eliminating burdens on patients and families.
The Council formulates policies, plans and coordinates cancer control activities, develops national cancer control roadmap, treatment guidelines, quality standards, monitors implementation, recommends medicine access programs, facilitates multisectoral collaboration, promotes patient engagement, and submits annual progress reports to the Secretary of Health.
DOH and LGUs must strengthen public health system capabilities by allocating resources for facility upgrades and equipment, ensuring supply of essential medicines and vaccines, creating effective patient referral pathways, enhancing provider competencies, establishing standards for patient care and navigation, and networking cancer care centers.
The Center under DOH provides accommodation, facilities, and treatment for cancer patients, promotes scientific research, supports training of oncology professionals, gathers research findings for public dissemination, and assists educational programs and research related to cancer.
PhilHealth shall expand benefit packages to cover primary care screening, diagnosis, treatment assistance, supportive care, survivorship follow-up, rehabilitation, and end-of-life care for all types and stages of cancer, including community-based care models and will develop benefit coverage rates and streamline processes to ensure timely cancer care.
Cancer patients, persons living with cancer, and cancer survivors are considered persons with disabilities under the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (Republic Act No. 7277) and are entitled to the same rights and privileges afforded to PWDs.