Mission of the PBCN

Philippine Breast Cancer Network

Global Action for the Eradication of Breast Cancer

About Us

Established in August 28th, 1997 by Rosa Francia-Meneses as a direct result of the 1st World Conference on Breast Cancer in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, the Philippine Breast Cancer Network (PBCN) is the leading national network of breast cancer victims and fighters in the Philippines. The PBCN works from the knowledge that breast cancer is snot simply a personal tragedy, but a public health priority that demands action from all.

It is a patient initiative, which maintains a patient's point of view on the issue of breast cancer, focused on identifying environmental causes of breast cancer and preventing the disease. We are enjoined to provide communication, support and information; to promote education and awareness; and to ensure an independent voice for Filipinos afflicted with breast cancer and at risk of getting afflicted. The PBCN carries the voices of people affected by breast cancer to inspire and compel the changes necessary to end the breast cancer epidemic.

The Philippines has the world's 12th largest population and also the 11th highest incidence rate of breast cancer worldwide. Our country experienced the world's highest increase in breast cancer incidence from 1980 to 2010 and today, the chances of Filipino women getting breast cancer is 1 in every 13.

Breast cancer has rapidly risen in the entire archipelago, which is reported to have the highest incidence rate in Asia. Prior to the PBCN, there had been no organization or group whatsoever in the Philippines actively committed to the issue of breast cancer. The PBCN supports a preventive approach to eradicating breast cancer and believes that enough evidence exists to raise serious concern on the environmental link to breast cancer to make this a priority for investigation and evidence-based regulatory action. Corollary to this, government and industry must adhere to the Precautionary Principle - that of acting upon evidence rather than waiting for absolute proof. The medical profession must adhere to the patient's Right to Informed Choice - that of full disclosure of all information and options and most importantly, total respect for her decision.

Only 10 percent of breast cancers are genetic, and science increasingly points to environmental factors for the sharp rise of the disease. For this reason, the PBCN has adopted the bold and daring mission to eliminate the environmental causes of the breast cancer, including toxic chemicals and radiation. Through public education, policy initiatives, treatment interventions and other innovative campaigns, the PBCN mobilizes the public to secure the changes needed to stop this devastating epidemic.

In response to the public health crisis of breast cancer, the PBCN with valuable information from the global community of breast cancer activists and organizations, foremost of which are The Breast Cancer Fund and Breast Cancer Action (both from the USA), identifies - and advocates for elimination of - the environmental and other preventable causes of the disease.

The PBCN advocates for policy changes in three areas:

1. Treatment - by shifting the balance of power away from the pharmaceutical industry towards public and patient interest while advocating for more safe, effective, non-invasive and non-toxic treatments.

2. Environment - by decreasing involuntary environmental exposures that put people at risk for breast cancer.

3. Inequities - by creating awareness that it is not just genes, but social injustices - political, economic and racial inequities - that lead to disparities in breast cancer outcomes.

Though it is not the PBCN's wish for its ranks to increase, it undoubtedly will. Unlike other kinds of organizations, the Philippine Breast Cancer Network looks forward to the day it will not anymore exist.

The PBCN on it's 15th Year

Let them howl, let them scream,

Just let them sing and dance their time away.

Let them hope, let them pray,

Just let them see how life is just that way.

Let them meet, let them talk,

Just give them space to accept their fate.

Let them do whatever they want,

Just give them aid to ease their demise.

Let them look nice and pretty,

Just make them feel there is care.

Let them get breast cancer,

Just make them think there is cure.

Though many are in darkness,

There will be women empowered.

Though many are simply support groups,

There will be action groups.

Instead of paddling in murky waters,

The PBCN would rather climb mountains.

Instead of waiting for the cure,

The PBCN would rather search for the cause.

With every angel in heaven,

The PBCN will go on.

With every angel on earth,

The PBCN will move on!

"The PBCN would rather climb mountains than walk or run in polluted streets."

"I realized that climbing the mountain was not an easy task. It was really hard for me to reach the highest peak of the mountain but when my companions extended their loving hands and their loving help to me, I was able to reach the top with joy in my heart. I’ll name this mountain - Mountain of Success!”

Our Mission

To end breast cancer through action and policy intiatives that support:

1. Replacement of mammography with safer and more reliable methods;

2. Development of non-toxic and non-invasive treatments;

3. Elimination of preventable causes, including those in the environment;

4. Universal access to the best available health care and information for all.

Our Objectives

* To sustain a national network of breast cancer victims, fighters, action groups, concerned individuals and supportive entities;

* To engage in massive education and awareness of the causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer;

* To provide communication for information and awareness about breast cancer as a major environmental issue;

* To help Filipinos afflicted with breast cancer by developing support systems that meet their unique needs;

* To work and lobby for legislative agenda for the prevention and eradication of breast cancer; and

* To promote openness and accountability in breast cancer research.

Our Activities

* Breast Cancer Resource Center

* Project BRCA - an intensive training course for breast cancer activists

* Orientations on breast cancer - detection and and treatment options

* Wellness Program at the Tiaong Breast Haven

* Symposiums on "Breast Cancer and the Environment"

* Formation of Breast Cancer Action Groups

* "Ang Hinaharap" - PBCN's newsletter

* Internet communications

"I think one of the most memorable moments was during our climb to the breast mountain. I felt so different. Reaching the highest peak was my best fulfillment being a woman."

"My memorable moment was going up and down the hill with women who said they couldn't make it but with one step at a time, was able to make a mile. It is a point of reflection for me - One Step at a Time!"

Our Accomplishments

1. Prior to the PBCN's establishment in August 28^th, 1997, there was no other organization in our country in any form whatsoever focused on breast cancer alone.

2. The PBCN convened three Philippine Conferences on Breast Cancer in 1998, 1999 and 2000, all held at Miriam College in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

3. The PBCN has played significant roles in five World Conferences on Breast Cancer:

1997 Kingston, Ontario Rosa, Lone Philippine Delegate

1999 Brussels, Belgium Rosa, Plenary Speaker

1999 Ottawa, Ontario Rosa, Opening Day Keynote Speaker

2002 Victoria, B.C. Danny, Speaker and Presenter (Film &Poster)

2005 Halifax, Nova Scotia Danny, Plenary Speaker and Presenter (Workshop & Poster)

Cristy Sibonga, Presenter (Workshop & Poster)

4. The PBCN has participated in various capacities abroad as follows::

2000- Mt. Fuji, Japan Rosa & Buhawi US-Japan "Climb Against the Odds"

2001- Washington, DC Danny, Participant NBCCF Annual Conference

2002- Garden City, NY Danny, Guest Speaker at Adelphi University

2002- Chicago, Illinois Danny, Graduate of Project LEAD Training Course

2005- Ithaca, NY Danny, Guest Speaker at Cornell University

5. The PBCN created national awareness & made breast cancer a public issue:

2000 September 22 ABS-CBN PBCN Telethon

2001 November 23 2^nd ABS-CBN PBCN Telethon

6. On September 23^rd, 2002 was inaugurated the Tiaong Breast Haven, the countrys first and only recovery center for breast cancer fighters.

7. The PBCN has conducted more than 80 Breast Cancer Prevention symposiums nationwide attended by more than 5,000 women who are not yet afflicted.

8. The PBCN has given more than 300 women an alternative to mammography by referring them for Thermal Breast Imaging, a very safe and more reliable diagnostic procedure.

9. The PBCN has guided more than 350 women in pursuing non-toxic and non-invasive approaches to their ailment.

10.The PBCN has conducted eleven (11) Project BRCA training courses with a total of 145 graduates from all over the country. All were held at the Tiaong Breast Haven except for two in Zamboanga City and in Bago City, Negros Occidental.