Pampanga First District Congressman Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has filed House Bill No. 5702 on October 28, 2025, seeking to provide mammography services and breast cancer examinations in public hospitals and rural health centers.

Under the proposed measure, mammography services—whether annually or as medically necessary—shall be made available in qualified public hospitals in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH).

The bill also mandates that monthly breast examinations be conducted by qualified medical practitioners in every rural health center. Additionally, breast cancer information and educational materials shall be displayed and made available in all primary health care facilities to strengthen awareness and preventive education.

According to DOH data, there were 33,079 breast cancer cases recorded in the Philippines in 2024. Meanwhile, the 2020 GLOBOCAN report revealed a notably high incidence of breast cancer among Filipino women aged 40 and below compared to other Asian countries.

Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, many cases are still diagnosed only at an advanced stage, largely due to the lack of accessible early detection services and the high cost of treatment.

“With this bill, we hope to provide a more accessible avenue for regular breast cancer examinations that could contribute to early detection and increased chances of survival,” Lazatin said.
“We also aim to give women, especially those from marginalized sectors, better access to preventive healthcare services that enable early detection and timely treatment of breast cancer,” he added.