Cancer care in the Philippines

[michelangelina]

Hello, Is anyone familiar with cancer care in the Philippines? I am in the U.S. and doing well on Ibrance/Letrozole, but I am asking for a friend of a friend who is in the Philippines and was recently diagnosed with MBC. She needs to start treatment right away, but apparently has no money, no family and no private insurance. Ibrance is not part of her treatment plan, as her cancer is ER negative. The doctors are recommending Docetaxel and Hertraz. What are the options for her? My friend has sent her some money, but can't afford to finance her whole course of treatment. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[8576]

I am in Canada and not familiar with the Philippines at all. Just wanted to wish you all best with your friend and to suggest you contact the National Cancer Society and ask them for info regarding this problem. That is if you havent already done so.

Cheers, June S.

[michelangelina in reply to 8576]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[embrace28]

Hello, for help with medicine and patient care she can probably get assistance from PCSO. They require a lot of documents but it’s a good place to start. She can also ask assistance from local politicians. I have also heard good results from Ospital ng Makati if she is a Makati resident. Can you let me know what kind of breast cancer she has? I can ask around what treatments are available. Thank you.

[michelangelina in reply to embrace28]

Thanks for your reply. Do you know how long it takes to get assistance form PCSO? Is there a wait list? She has ER negative, PR positive, HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer.

[embrace28 in reply to michelangelina]

This is the reply from my friend in Manila who is HER2 Positive:

“My doctor made me do Trastuzumab. Sa East Ave hospital, can check if she can avail through the malasakit program of the government for the discount.” Her doctor personally applied for her to get in the Malasakit Program.”

I was able to get meds also for my dad at PCSO about 10 years ago for colon cancer, they have requirements you need to submit, but they do give it continuously once you have submitted everything.

[michelangelina in reply to embrace28]

This is so helpful. I really appreciate this. She lives in the province of Cebu. Would that make a difference?

[embrace28 in reply to michelangelina]

Yes. East Avenue is located in Manila. So I guess she would either have to travel get check up and get in the program before she goes back to Cebu or find a local hospital in Cebu giving the same medicine. My friend is doing well on this medicine and is still able to work and travel.

[michelangelina in reply to embrace28]

That might be possible. What is the malasakit program? Is that different that getting help through the PCSO?

[embrace28 in reply to michelangelina]

I think it’s different. It might be a hospital based program at East Avenue Medical. She can try to apply for both. She said it was her doctor who submitted her name for the Malasakit Program.

[embrace28 in reply to michelangelina]

Hello there again, i just found out the Malasakit Program is a government sponsored program. My friend told me PCSO gives very little nowadays and she was able to get more help from the Malasakit Program

[michelangelina in reply to embrace28]

That is tremendously helpful. It looks like there are Malasakit centers all over the Philippines. I will suggest my friend start there. Thanks again so much!

[michelangelina in reply to embrace28]

I hope you are doing well, embrace28! Have a blessed day!

[embrace28 in reply to michelangelina]

By the Lord’s grace I am doing well! 3 and a half years now! Thank you!! Will include your friend in my prayers too.

[michelangelina in reply to embrace28]

Thank you! It has been 4 and a half years for me now, and I am also doing well, by the Lord's grace. I will remember you in my prayers as well.

[embrace28 in reply to michelangelina]

Thank you so much! 😊

[MyMiracle13]

I suggest she gets in touch with I Can Serve or Carewell. She can find them on FaceBook.

[michelangelina in reply to MyMiracle13]

Thanks so much