The launch of MAMMOvan — a Philippines’ first

Breast cancer awareness. ShutterStock image

The Breast Cancer Imperative, Inc.(BRCAI), a non-profit corporation, launched and blessed the ‘MAMMOvan’ — A Philippines’ first in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

The MAMMOvan — the first of its kind in Southeast Asia — is a mammography unit on wheels, which will offer free screening mammography services to underserved women in Northern Luzon and subsidized screenings to those who cannot afford them.

“Costs and access are the two main barriers for a very low mammography adoption in the Philippines,” states breast cancer survivor and nurse Delia C. Baquiran. “I consider myself the poster child of early detection. I believe that early detection equals prevention.”

Diagnosed at age 52 with early stage disease, she used her experience to help demystify the stigma of breast cancer for other women.

The MAMMOvan completes the Early Detection and Screening for Breast Cancer platform of BRCAI. Other components of the program include advocacy outreach to communities teaching them about breast health, cancer awareness, risk assessment, and lifestyle interventions. An important piece of the training program is the Breast Self exam demonstration and return demonstration so participants can use this model in their everyday life.

“We engage barangay health workers because they play a pivotal role in the health structure of the community. For our services to have impact, community engagement is essential,” emphasized Baquiran. “It is my hope that mothers, daughters, and sisters will live to watch their children grow up like I did through the early imperative.”

The launching and blessing event was attended by community leaders, health care providers, local government officials, and citizens. It was led by the first female Mayor of Laoag City, the Honorable Chevylle Farinas, and Assistant Secretary of Health Gerardo Bayugo.

“We should have more MAMMOvans. The Philippines has the highest mortality rate and lowest survival rate in Asia,” Bayugo noted.

The MAMMOvan went on its maiden trip to Sto. Domingo, a municipality in Ilocos Sur, a few days after its launch.

“In a matter of hours, we screened 13 women which is more than the monthly average number that a hospital with a mammography equipment screens,” remarked Dr. Laennec C. Baquiran, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of BRCAI. Multiple requests from various municipalities and sponsoring organizations for the MAMMOvan and the EDSP are coming in.

The Breast Cancer Imperative, Inc (BRCAI) is a non-profit and non-stock corporation registered with the Philippines Securities Exchange Commission. Our mission is to empower and engage communities in the early detection and screening imperatives for breast cancer. Our impact will result in healthy communities towards a wealthy Philippines.

We are a volunteer organization and count on strategic partners such as the Timoteo and Luisa Cachola Fund, Toyota Motors Philippines Foundation, the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care, Inc., the Philippine College of Surgeons – Northern Luzon Chapter, and kind donors to pursue our mission. 

For more information:
Delia C. Baquiran, RN, MSN, EMBA
dcbaquiran @gmail.com

Press release by Breast Cancer Imperative, Inc. Laoag City, May 6, 2014